Summary:\u00a0 The wonders of a five-year-old Adam during the Mid-winter.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (2,500 words)<\/p>\n
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Bonanza<\/strong><\/span> Day\u00a06<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Mid-Winter (or Maude)<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Hello, young fellow and what is your name?”<\/p>\n “Adam. Adam Stoddard Cartwright and I am five years old,” the boy said, holding up five fingers.<\/p>\n “Well, good to meet you, Adam, five years old,” Mr. Cole solemnly shook the boy’s hand as he looked at Ben, who was signing a rental contract for a place for them to winter in. “Everything in order? Not much of a place, but there is a barn where you could stable your horses.There are two cows and some chickens. They can keep each other company.”<\/p>\n Looking at Adam, Mr. Cole said,\u00a0 “You don’t mind looking after the chickens? They can be a handful, especially Maude. She’s old and cranky, time for the cook pot for her.” Mr. Cole chuckled.<\/p>\n Adam just stared at him, wide eyed. “Would we get eggs?”<\/p>\n “If you’re lucky, one or two, but they usually stop laying in the winter.”<\/p>\n Ben walked over with the contract and handed it to Mr. Cole along with the rent money which was half the asking price as Ben had agreed to look after the animals.<\/p>\n “You know how to milk a cow, Ben?” Mr. Cole said, cocking an eyebrow at him. “I’ll show you before I leave.”<\/p>\n Ben laughed. “Didn’t have much use for cows on a ship. Would be glad for all the advice.”<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/—–\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n Ben and Adam walked around the small cozy cabin, feeling grateful for their new home. It was very small but warm and the outhouse was just outside the door. Ben sighed with relief now that he didn’t have to worry about Adam going out there by himself.<\/p>\n “Pa, what side of the bed do you want? Can I have the outside?”<\/p>\n “No, you’re by the wall.”<\/p>\n “I knew that, just thought that I would ask anyway.”<\/p>\n As he laid his nightshirt on the bed, Ben closed his eyes and pinched his nose. Take a deep breath. It is going to be a long winter couped up with a five year old.<\/em><\/p>\n Adam frowned. “There is only one pillow.”<\/p>\n “I’ll use one of the bedrolls as a pillow,” Ben said, looking at the fireplace. I hope it draws well.\u00a0 <\/em>“All settled, Adam? Come on, let’s go and take care of the horses and other animals.”<\/p>\n Adam said, “Do you think that old Maude is as mean as Mr. Cole says she is.?”<\/p>\n “Well we will just have to find out.”<\/p>\n Ben brought the horses in\u00a0with Adam leading the way. At the far end of the barn there were two cows and, in another corner, a chicken coop with a small area for them to walk around in. “I will put up the horses, you can go and look at the chickens, but don’t touch until I get there.”<\/p>\n Adam walked over to the chickens, watching them with fascination. “Oh, how sweet.” That thought was very soon short-lived, as old Maude jumped up onto the rail, turning her head side to side, eyeing her newest human victim-Adam.<\/p>\n Adam stopped smiling after making eye-to-eye contact and hearing a loud squawk.\u00a0 Sensing this was not a good sign, Adam turned to run with Maude right on his heels.<\/p>\n “Pa! Pa! Help, help!” Maude got in a few good pecks before Ben came to the rescue. Adam hid behind Ben, peering around his leg to look at Maude.<\/p>\n Maude looked up at Ben and decided he was too big to peck and re-fixed her gaze on the boy.\u00a0 Adam and Maude held each other’s eyes. “I’ll be watching you ” and “I’ll be watching you also” were telepathic messages between them.<\/p>\n Ben looked down at Adam, who stared at him with wide hazel eyes. “How am I going to help, Pa? The cows are big and scary…but Maude is even scarier.” Tears started to run down his cheeks.<\/p>\n Picking him up, holding him close, Ben said, “There will be plenty for you to help with,” and set Adam on a bale of hay while he tidied up.<\/p>\n While Adam looked at his sore ankles, he could feel eyes on him…Maude.<\/p>\n Ben noticed the battle of the Stare Down he picked Adam up again. “Let’s go inside.”<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/—–\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n It was now mid-winter and Christmas was almost upon them. Adam had a wooden calendar that he could count the days of a month. It was put in a place of honour, the fireplace mantle.<\/p>\n Adam was setting the table when he asked “Do you think Santa will come or will Maude scare him away?”<\/p>\n It had been months now and no truce was to be had. Ben had separated Maude from the other chickens when Adam was around to help, so that he could feel like he was doing his part by getting the occasional egg, cleaning the coop and also seeing that the other chickens were friendly.<\/p>\n “I don’t think that Santa would be afraid of Maude,” Ben said.<\/p>\n Adam wasn’t quite convinced, “How about the reindeer?”<\/p>\n Ben could see that this conversation was going nowhere.<\/p>\n “Finish setting the table, I will go and see to the animals.”<\/p>\n “Ok, Pa.”<\/p>\n Ben looked back, seeing Adam standing there deep in thought. He just shook his head and went to the barn.<\/p>\n Mr. Cole had told Ben that if any of the chickens died, not to worry, they do that. “They are laying hens but still good eating except for Maude, of course. There are some spices in the cupboard, help yourself, and you also got some fresh milk for the boy.”<\/p>\n Maude kept a wary eye on Ben and aimed for Adam when he wasn’t looking. Ben told him not to run and to stand his ground, but that only worked for a short time.<\/p>\n “She has bandy legs, do hens have beards? She has a beard, I can’t get closer to look,” Adam had told him. Ben also tried looking closely but got the cut-eye, so he thought better of it.<\/p>\n Returning to the cabin and closing the door behind him, he announced “A chicken has died.”<\/p>\n Adam let out a whoop. “Maude!”<\/p>\n “Nope. What’s the name of this one?” Ben said, holding up the chicken.<\/p>\n “Betsy Chicken.” Ben always had the notion that cows were Betsy’s. Apparently not.<\/p>\n “Damn.”<\/p>\n Ben looked across at Adam “Where did you learn that word?” Adam’s little finger pointed at him.<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/ —–\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n The snow starting coming down quite heavily and the temperature took a good nose dive. Ben had attached a rope from the cabin to the barn and instructed Adam to hold onto it at all times. People have been known to get lost even in such short distances. The cabin also had a loft where Adam spent most of his time reading his three books over and over.<\/p>\n “Adam, time for bed, young man.”<\/p>\n “Do you think that we will get snowed in?”<\/p>\n Ben hoped not, but there was no sense in telling him otherwise. “Probably, now say your prayers and get in bed.”<\/p>\n Ben crawled in next to Adam and they both laid there listening to the wind howling. He tucked Adam under his arm, singing old sea shanties to lull him asleep.<\/p>\n It was the quiet that woke them both. Ben got up to see what it was like outside, opening the door ,he was greeted with a wall of snow.<\/p>\n “Adam, go up the ladder and see if you can open the shutters.”<\/p>\n “Yes, Pa, they can open.” Good that means we can get in and out, the boy thought.<\/p>\n “Adam, what do you see, if anything?”<\/p>\n “Maude.”<\/p>\n Ben said to himself, “Why am I not surprised.”<\/p>\n Closing the door, Ben surveyed the cabin. It was Christmas Eve and he had wanted to put up some small decorations with pine cones and tree boughs, but that was not happening now. He also had a piece of wood that he was making into a toy for Adam but it was hidden in the barn. He leaned back against the door to give himself a moment to think. Opening his eyes, he saw Adam standing there with his tiny hands, palms up.<\/p>\n “Are you ok, Pa? You seem sad.”<\/p>\n Ben got dressed “Adam, I am heading out to the barn to check on the animals.”<\/p>\n “Can I come?”<\/p>\n “No, you stay here and keep warm.”<\/p>\n Ben climbed the ladder to the loft. “Yup,” he said to himself, “this is going to be a tight fit. I hope the snow isn’t soft.” Ben tied another piece of rope to his waist to secure his crossing.<\/p>\n “Close the shutters behind me to keep the cabin warm,” Ben said to Adam.<\/p>\n “But Pa, I want to come.”<\/p>\n “ADAM.”<\/p>\n Looking back, he could still see Adam, he mouthed “Close the shutters.”<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/\/—–\/\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n All the animals were fine–a bit frightened–but they calmed down after being given some hay and water. Ben figured that he would have to make a few trips back and forth. He had to carry the milk although there wasn’t much, just enough for two days. The chickens were usually quiet, but they were clucking up a storm.<\/p>\n Ben looked in. “Wow! Thank you Ladies.” There were four eggs.<\/p>\n “There’s an extra one for Adam.”<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Ben looked around, no one but him. His eyes rolled to Maude. “Where in the hell did she come from?”<\/p>\n “I am exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally. I must be going mad. I am hearing things.” Ben sat down ,with his head in his hands and cried. “Elizabeth ,Elizabeth my love. I am doubting about what I have done, my decision to head West. What was I thinking of bringing a newborn across the country? I should have waited until he was older. My head and heart aches and I miss you so much.”<\/p>\n Straightening up and wiping his face, he noticed that all the animals were looking at him, even Maude. An eerie silence enveloped the barn.<\/p>\n “I’d better get back, Adam is probably worrying.” Ben shook his head, “Now I am talking to the animals.” He reached behind a bale of hay, retrieved Adam’s unfinished present, shoved it into his pocket and headed back to the cabin. Adam must have been peeking because as soon as he was in sight, the shutters flew open.<\/p>\n As Ben crawled inside, closing them behind him, in the shadows, he could see Adam’s face, his bottom lip quivering. he was trying to be brave, but he was scared.<\/p>\n Ben’s heart wrung, he bent down. “Look! Look what I’ve got… four eggs!” Adam was so excited that he dropped one, then the tears came.<\/p>\n “It’s alright son, we still have three left.” Holding a sobbing Adam close to him, Ben’s eyes also pricked hotly with tears, his tears came quietly as he held his son.<\/p>\n Kissing Adam’s wet face “Let ‘s go downstairs, we are going to have a great feast. We have chicken, eggs and soda bread with honey.” Adam clapped his hands and headed down the ladder, followed by Ben.<\/p>\n “Pa, is one of those eggs Maude’s?”<\/p>\n “No, she is too old. Her egg-giving days have long gone.”<\/p>\n Adam looked relieved, but with a look of concern and sadness. “Santa’s not coming, is he? Maybe when we have a place of our own, he can find us.”<\/p>\n This statement took Ben aback. He saw his five-year-old son turn into an older boy right before his eyes. Shaking off the gloom, he said, “Help me get ready for tomorrow.”<\/p>\n Adam, with his hands on his hips, said, “Pa ,do you know what you are doing with that chicken?”\u00a0 Both looked at the chicken, then at each other. “No, son I do not.” Both killed themselves laughing. From tears to laughter.<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/—–\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n “I have to go back to the barn, Adam. I forgot the milk. You stay here and watch the pot.”<\/p>\n Adam nodded. This time he closed the shutters right away, he knew pa would be back.<\/p>\n Ben walked around the barn, making sure that everything was secure and the animals were safe and sound. “Good night,” he said as he closed up.<\/p>\n It was snowing huge white flakes, coming down so softly. “I didn’t know that they could be so big.”<\/p>\n Then he heard it, a soft, childlike voice singing.<\/p>\n In the bleak mid-winter, Frosty wind moaned<\/em><\/p>\n Earth stood hard as iron,Water like a stone.<\/em><\/p>\n Snow had fallen, snow on snow.<\/em><\/p>\n In the bleak mid-winter, long ago.<\/em><\/p>\n Ben squinted. “It must be my imagination. The snowflakes look like a body.” Ben hurried back to he cabin, where he was greeted by Adam who asked him to teach that song. He liked it better than the old sea songs about wind, waves and whales. Ben muttered that he didn’t remember all the words. But what he heard was a child’s voice. Adam heard an adult’s voice.<\/p>\n “Adam, you stick close to me, don’t wander too far.” Ben looked at Adam.<\/p>\n Adam looked around the cabin. Where could he go. “Ok.”<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/—-\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n “Pa.”<\/p>\n “Alright,you can come to the barn, hop up onto my back.”<\/p>\n It was Christmas Day and he was glad to get out of the cabin. He could help feed the animals and wish them a Merry Christmas, even Maude, from a distance… a far distance. Adam had a special place where he could get away from Maude, but even still Ben had to come to the rescue.<\/p>\n The “Maudester” was waiting for him and corralled him into his usual corner. Adam fell over the bale of hay, but something felt out of place.<\/p>\n “Pa! Pa, Santa didn’t forget us! Come, look.” Ben rushed over. There, neatly folded, were two of everything… toques, gloves, scarves, sweaters and, yes, socks.<\/p>\n Ben looked around the animals were busy eating, paying them no mind.. except ,of course Maude. Ben packed the stuff into a sack and both headed back to the cabin. Ben’s eyes scanned the are around the barn and cabin, not a footprint except theirs.<\/p>\n A warm fireplace, a tasty hot meal, it was grand. With a mouth full of chicken, Adam said. “Even Maude gave me a Christmas gift, she didn’t peck at my ankles.”<\/p>\n Then again with his mouth full. “They say that animals can talk on Christmas Eve, right?”<\/p>\n Ben said, “Who told you that?”<\/p>\n Adam pointed a finger. “You.”<\/p>\n “Adam, eat.”<\/p>\n \/\/\/\/\/—-\/\/\/\/\/<\/p>\n Many Mid-Winters Later.<\/p>\n “Adam, I got a letter from Mr. Cole. Do you remember him?”<\/p>\n Adam, sipping his brandy, said, “Yes we wintered at one of his cabins, he must be ancient by now.”<\/p>\n Ben, raising his eyebrows, asked, “Are you calling me ancient? I think we were around the same age.”<\/p>\n Adam laughed, “No!”<\/p>\n “May I continue?”<\/p>\n Adam raised his glass.<\/p>\n “Maude finally died last year.”<\/p>\n Adam choked, “Now she was ancient, I am sure that she had a beard.”<\/p>\n Little Joe in his usual fine form, said, ‘”A bearded lady.” Hoss and him finding this funny.<\/p>\n Ben and Adam in unison “A chicken.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My prompt:\u00a0 In mid-winter there is little to do; care of the stock and care of ourselves are the only duties.<\/p>\n My characters-Adam and Ben.<\/p>\n Guest Star-Maude.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Author’s Notes:\u00a0 “In the Bleak Midwinter’ is a poem written by Christina Rossetti in 1872,which has been adapted into a Christmas carol.<\/p>\n A “bearded chicken” refers to poultry breeds with distinctive fluffy feathers tufts (beards and muffs) around their face and under their beak<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Link to the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar \u2013 Day 7 – True Blessings – Questfan<\/a><\/p>\n
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