Summary: \u00a0Several years have passed and\u00a0we now find Sam and Adam with two small children. Sam and Adam learn that little children have thoughts of their own and don’t bother to keep their knowledge to themselves.<\/p>\n
Rated K+ (12,695 words)<\/p>\n
Adam & Sam Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Adam’s Journey of Memories <\/p>\n Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/em><\/p>\n ADAM AND SAM \u2013 BRINGING UP BABIES<\/strong><\/p>\n CHAPTER ONE<\/strong><\/p>\n Sam had enjoyed a wonderful day in town. She had lunch with Lori, Delores, and Mindy, went to visit with Doc Martin, and did a little shopping. She left Adam at home with Young and Libba \u2013 they were going to go with their father on a fishing expedition. Young, now almost three years old, just loved to fish, so he had been excited this morning when Sam left the house. Libba, now just passing the two-year old stage, was more interested in playing in the sand and exploring. Both children had an uncanny ability to talk \u2013 even Delores was impressed at the sentences that these children could put together. Delores was pregnant again, and Mindy and Lori were expecting their first children soon. Sam smiled as she rode back to The Pines.<\/p>\n As she handed Fancy\u2019s reins to Ted, he grinned. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t go in there if I were you.\u201d Then he walked off towards the barn to unsaddle and curry Fancy.<\/p>\n The noise was deafening as Sam walked up on the porch and approached the front door. Adam was an intensely good and loving father, and Sam wondered what could possibly be going on behind the front door. Gingerly, she opened the door.<\/p>\n There stood Adam, his eyes darting everywhere. His hair was a tangled mess and he looked absolutely frazzled. Young was galloping around the house, screaming \u201cGiddy-up\u201d at the top of his lungs. He wore only his small boots and nothing else. Libba was completely naked and was under the kitchen table, dried mud around her mouth and in her hair. She was shrieking with delight as she watched her brother. Rascal was chasing Young and barking incessantly.<\/p>\n A chagrined Adam looked at Sam. \u201cAm I ever glad to see you! And what is it about wearing clothes that these kids hate so much?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCloves,\u201d repeated Libba between shrieks.<\/p>\n Young stopped galloping and stopped in front of Sam. \u201cHi, Mama! I\u2019m riding like Papa does!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo I see,\u201d laughed Sam. \u201cBut I thought Papa was taking you and Libba fishing today.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam slumped in a chair. \u201cI did<\/em>! Young caught a fish. Libba made mud pies. She offered me one of her best creations, and I found half a worm in it. I\u2019m afraid she might\u2019ve eaten the other half\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Sam reached under the table and helped Libba to her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you eat a worm?\u201d Sam asked, trying not to laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cDunno,\u201d Libba answered. It was obvious that she would give the shortest answer necessary if she thought she might have done something wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cWill half a worm hurt her?\u201d Adam asked with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt it. A whole<\/em> worm probably wouldn\u2019t hurt her.\u201d Sam giggled.<\/p>\n \u201cMama, I caught a fish!\u201d Young said with excitement. \u201cBut Papa told me it was too young to leave its family, so we let it go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood for you and Papa,\u201d Sam giggled. \u201cRight now, it\u2019s getting late, and supper needs to be cooked. You and Libba need a bath first.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t move. He looked worn out. \u201cDo you deal with this every day?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI usually have Susan to help me, but she and Rob are on vacation. I have to admit that these two are a handful. Now help me get them cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rose slowly and fetched the washtub while Sam heated the water. While she waited for the water to get hot, she wandered around the house and picked up the clothing the children had pulled off. She found a lizard in Young\u2019s pocket \u2013 the lizard went outside and scurried away. Libba\u2019s pockets yielded pretty rocks and an arrowhead. Sam saved these to put in Libba\u2019s treasure box.<\/p>\n Young ran into the kitchen, remembering his lizard. When Sam told him that she had released the creature, Young looked sad.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung, that lizard has a family of his own. His parents would miss him and they would cry if he never came home. You wouldn\u2019t want that, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n Young shook his head. \u201cWill he find his way back home?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course he will! He knows exactly where his family is. Now, get Papa and let\u2019s get you and your sister cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n Young, with Rascal close behind, ran to his father who had corralled Libba. Fortunately, both children loved bath time. The shrieking and barking had stopped. Rascal had swum in the lake, so at least he was clean. Adam looked much calmer.<\/p>\n Adam poured the warm water into the washtub while Sam removed Young\u2019s boots. Adam gave Young his hand to help his son into the water; Sam just plopped Libba into it. Both children splashed around happily, water going everywhere.<\/p>\n The children had taken baths together since they were tiny. But today Libba\u2019s sharp eyes caught something she hadn\u2019t noticed before. She pointed at a certain spot of Young\u2019s anatomy, looked down at herself, and gave a puzzled look. Reaching out, she grabbed Young\u2019s most sensitive body part and pulled. Young screamed and fairly leaped into Adam\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you do that to your brother?\u201d Sam asked. She was trying so hard to not laugh.<\/p>\n \u201cWorm,\u201d said a cherubic-faced Libba.<\/p>\n Adam put Young back into the water. \u201cNo, sweetie, that\u2019s not a worm. That\u2019s part of Young just like his fingers and toes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWorm,\u201d repeated Libba. \u201cWhere\u2019s my<\/em> worm?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam covered his face with his hands. Sam was shaking with laughter that she tried to contain.<\/p>\n \u201cLibba, you are a little girl. You have different parts than Young does. God made your body special so you can have babies when you grow up and get married. Young is a little boy, and he has different parts than you do. God made him special so he can help his wife have babies. You will grow up to be a woman, and Young will grow up to be a man. You must never grab Young like that because it\u2019s very painful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam fielded this question, his lips twitching. \u201cBecause that\u2019s a part of his body that is especially sensitive to pain.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba thought about this as Sam soaped up a washcloth and began washing Libba\u2019s face and hair. Adam did the same with Young.<\/p>\n Libba looked at Young again. \u201cIt still looks like a worm. Does Papa have one?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smirked. Sam shot him a sly smile. \u201cAll<\/em> men have one. All animals, too, are either boys or girls and have different parts to their bodies. That\u2019s God\u2019s way of making sure that new life is always created.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Adam and Sam tried their best to give a small anatomy lesson with correct medical terms. Neither child really cared and soon lost interest. But Libba, never wanting to deliberately hurt her brother, would never grab Young like that again \u2013 though in later years she would learn the use of a well-placed knee if she needed to protect herself.<\/p>\n CHAPTER TWO<\/strong><\/p>\n Supper was always a happy time. Young had a chance to talk about his fish and to explain to his father about the fate of the lizard he had brought home. Libba was fascinated with having found a real arrowhead. Sam filled Adam in on the news from town, being careful not to be too specific about the pregnancies of her three friends.<\/p>\n After supper, Sam wiped Libba\u2019s face clean. Both Libba and Young had learned that this was the forerunner of going to bed and being read to or sung to by Adam. While Adam took the little ones upstairs, Sam smiled to herself as she washed dishes. She could hear her husband reading, so she hurried with the dishes and went upstairs and peeked in the door.<\/p>\n Adam was in the middle of the bed, Libba was on one side and Young was on the other; both children were entranced at some childhood poetry books \u2013 with pictures \u2013 that they were familiar with a loved to hear over and over again. Libba\u2019s eyes were already beginning to close and Young looked like he was ready to fall asleep himself. But, as Adam closed the book, the little ones begged for a song. This was Sam\u2019s cue to come in and bring the guitars. She and Adam sang a lullaby for their babies until they fell asleep. This was a routine that was never broken even if Adam wasn\u2019t home \u2013 Sam would strum and sing alone.<\/p>\n Sam lifted Libba from the bed while Adam tucked the covers around his son. He kissed him gently on his forehead. \u201cWe love you,\u201d whispered Adam and Sam. Young yawned. \u201cI love you too.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba was tucked into her own bed, her brunette hair (which had finally grown in) fanned out on her pillow. Sam brushed a stray wisp of hair from Libba\u2019s forehead; Adam kissed her on her cheek. \u201cWe love you,\u201d both parents whispered. \u201cLove,\u201d Libba answered.<\/p>\n Before Sam blew out the lamp, she and Adam took one last look at their children.<\/p>\n \u201cThey look like angels, don\u2019t they,\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are<\/em> angels,\u201d Sam whispered back. \u201cJust not all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned. Rascal had dashed into the room and took his place on the floor between the two beds. \u201cI guess Rascal is their guardian angel,\u201d Adam grinned.<\/p>\n Sam and Adam went downstairs quietly. Sam was working on some needlepoint and Adam was doing some ranch paperwork.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sorry?\u201d Sam asked out of the blue. Her tone made Adam look at her.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about what?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat we don\u2019t have the twins,\u201d Sam said, stabbing herself accidentally with the needle.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t even know for sure that there were<\/em> twins. Or even one<\/em> baby,\u201d Adam answered, giving his wife his full attention. \u201cDoc Martin said that it was too early to tell if you were really pregnant or not. And Libba\u2019s birth didn\u2019t help your insides any. If there were<\/em> twins, of course I\u2019m sorry that we don\u2019t have them. But, the fact is, we don\u2019t have them. I can\u2019t mourn for what we don\u2019t<\/em> have, but I can be happy for what we do<\/em> have. Maybe we\u2019ll have more children, maybe not. I\u2019m content with our blessings right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam smiled. Adam always knew the right things to say.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CHAPTER THREE<\/strong><\/p>\n The only day that Young and Libba enjoyed dressing up was on Sunday, and today was Sunday and time to go to church. After Adam got Young\u2019s string tie straightened out, he helped Sam get Libba into her new petticoat. Libba loved the petticoat so much that she didn\u2019t want the pink dress to cover it up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t go to church in just your petticoat,\u201d Sam said as she tried once again to pull the dress over Libba\u2019s swiveling head and flailing arms.<\/p>\n Adam knelt down in front of his daughter. \u201cYou know what I think? The dress and the petticoat look beautiful together. If you put the dress on, you\u2019ll see what I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba had learned a new facial expression and used it to her advantage when possible. She poked out her lower lip slightly. She also looked doubtful, but she knew her father wouldn\u2019t lie to her. Sam popped the dress over Libba\u2019s head quickly and smoothed out the skirt.<\/p>\n Adam spoke again, a serious look on his face. \u201cSee what I mean? The petticoat makes the skirt look so full. It would be a shame not to wear the dress and show it off.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba\u2019s bottom lip resumed its normal position as she looked at herself in the mirror and twirled. Her face broke into a smile. She didn\u2019t even argue about putting on her shoes, so excited was she. Sam plopped a bonnet on her daughter\u2019s head; Adam tied the ribbon around her neck.<\/p>\n Young watched. He was never jealous of the attention that Libba got, but he needed some positive reinforcement every now and then. \u201cHow do I<\/em> look?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam looked at her son. \u201cYoung, you look just like your father. Quite handsome. Your hair has such wonderful waves, and that tie makes you look so grown-up.\u201d<\/p>\n Young took Libba\u2019s hand and led her downstairs. Sam looked at Adam and chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou certainly know how to handle your daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam gave a deep chuckle back. \u201cFemales are females. They come out of the womb wanting to look pretty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen how do you explain the fact that neither of the kids likes to wear clothes so much of the time? And how do you explain Libba\u2019s love of wearing jeans?\u201d Sam tied her own bonnet and looked in the mirror.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hot outside. Hell, I\u2019d<\/em> go naked if I could! And Libba wants to mimic everything Young does. And wears. She\u2019ll grow out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Sam joined the children downstairs. It was time to go to church and this family would be joining Adam\u2019s family in town.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n The doors to the church had not yet opened when Adam\u2019s buggy pulled up. He saw his father in deep discussion with Delmas and Drucilla. Hoss and Little Joe were talking to a gaggle of pretty, single young women.<\/p>\n Adam helped Sam and the children out of the buggy and, in an instant, Libba and Young had run to their uncles. Libba, screeching loud enough to break the stained-glass windows of the church, launched herself into Hoss\u2019s big arms and gave him a tight hug. Young had more decorum. He attached himself to Little Joe\u2019s leg and wouldn\u2019t let go.<\/p>\n Little Joe spoke first. \u201cWell, Young, you look so much like your Papa that I almost didn\u2019t recognize you! How handsome you look.\u201d<\/p>\n Young\u2019s face lit up. Of his two uncles, \u201cUncle Joe\u201d was his favorite. Young and Joe shared something that didn\u2019t come from Adam \u2013 and that was a bit of a wild streak.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Hoss, you\u2019re smushing my dress,\u201d Libba chided, poking out her bottom lip. \u201cAnd you haven\u2019t seen my new petticoat.\u201d Even at her young age, Libba could speak quite plainly when she wanted to.<\/p>\n Hoss put his niece down. \u201cLet me look at you! My, how beautiful you look in that dress!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook at my petticoat, too,\u201d Libba prompted. Inadvertently, she pulled up her dress and her petticoat, revealing her round little tummy above the tights that she wore.<\/p>\n Hoss didn\u2019t quite know what to do but he was saved by the arrival of his father.<\/p>\n Ben poked gently at Libba\u2019s navel. \u201cI can\u2019t see your new petticoat. All I can see is your belly button.\u201d<\/p>\n Gently, he pulled the beloved petticoat down. \u201cWhy, it\u2019s a beautiful petticoat. And when your skirt is over it, the skirt stands out just like it ought to.\u201d He pulled the dress into place and readjusted the sash.<\/p>\n The church bell began to ring, and the extended Cartwright clan walked into the church and took up an entire pew. They made quite an impressive group.<\/p>\n ****************<\/p>\n As the church members began to sing, Sam noticed for the first time that Young had his father\u2019s voice \u2013 just higher pitched. He sang with gusto, pretending to read from the song book. Libba, having heard the familiar words, held her song book upside down and tried hard to sing. She would never have a wonderful singing voice, but she could carry a tune fairly well.<\/p>\n By looks and by words from both parents, both Young and Libba had learned good manners. Though they were bored with the short sermon, they didn\u2019t fidget like other children did. They didn\u2019t have to be taken out of the church like some other little children who screamed and cried. Sam and Adam always made sure that they reinforced good behavior by complimenting their children. Ben was always very proud of his grandchildren and how they were being raised.<\/p>\n The last song was sung, and the church service came to an end. The parishioners filed out and all the children gathered together to play while the adults talked. Ben laughed as he told Adam and Sam about Libba\u2019s \u201cpetticoat\u201d experience. Sam thought the whole thing was hilarious, but Adam\u2019s thoughts were that Libba didn\u2019t need to be pulling up her dress in public.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, let it go, Adam,\u201d Sam scolded. \u201cShe\u2019s just a little girl. She means no harm.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed. Sam was right. He just didn\u2019t want Libba to continue this kind of behavior. Maybe he would have a talk with her when they went to the Ponderosa for the usual large Sunday meal that Hop Sing always prepared. Of course, he never had a chance to bring up the \u201cdress\/petticoat\u201d incident. Libba had other things to discuss.<\/p>\n CHAPTER FOUR<\/strong><\/p>\n Today, Ben had brought the buggy to church, and Young and Libba clamored to ride to the Ponderosa with \u201cPop-Pop.\u201d While Joe was deep in conversation with one of the pretty single gals new to Virginia City, Hoss tied Chubb to the back of Ben\u2019s buggy and handed Libba to Ben to sit in his lap. Young was delighted to sit in Hoss\u2019s lap because he knew that Ben would point out the creatures of the forest but Hoss would imitate their sounds. Young wanted to learn to make the same sounds. Cochise was left behind for Joe to ride home on.<\/p>\n Sam and Adam smiled as Ben clucked to the horse and very slowly drove home. Libba and Young would always be safe with the Cartwright family. Clucking to his own horse, Adam followed his father, Hoss, and the children. Libba\u2019s little voice could be heard as she talked to her grandfather, his arms tightly around her while he held the reins. Young was trying to mimic the bird calls that Hoss made. Sam smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so wonderful to see how much the kids adore Pop-Pop and their uncles. I\u2019m so lucky to be part of such a loving family.\u201d She turned Adam\u2019s face to hers and kissed him. Hard!<\/p>\n Adam looked forward and then backward. \u201cLet\u2019s take a different trail to the Ponderosa.\u201d He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as he turned the horse off to the right.<\/p>\n Hoss looked back to check on his older brother. \u201cHey, Pa! Adam\u2019s going a different way!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked back, chuckled, and said, \u201cMaybe they just need some alone time on this beautiful day. Now stop looking at them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Pa! Hop Sing\u2019ll be angry if\u2026\u201d He stopped talking, blushed, and faced straight forward. \u201cLet\u2019s watch the ground and see if we can spot some bunny rabbits,\u201d he prompted a backward-looking Young.<\/p>\n \u201cWabbits,\u201d parroted Libba. \u201cLook for wabbits.\u201d<\/p>\n *********************<\/p>\n Hop Sing was outside waiting when Ben drove up.<\/p>\n \u201cSing! Sing!\u201d yelled the children in unison. \u201cWhat did you cook?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing knelt and hugged both little ones. \u201cI cook bat wings and buzzard lips. Dessert is hundred year old eggs!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYummmm!\u201d both children giggled. They knew that Hop Sing was teasing them. He reached in his pocket and gave each child one fourth of a donut.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing,\u201d Ben said, rolling his eyes. \u201cYou know that the children shouldn\u2019t eat sweets before the big meal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly little bit of donut,\u201d Hop Sing replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about me?\u201d Hoss pretended to complain.<\/p>\n \u201cYou no need donut. You alla time eat too much sweets!\u201d Hop Sing scurried into the kitchen, leaving Ben and Hoss laughing as they heard the cook muttering in Chinese.<\/p>\n *******************<\/p>\n Not only did the children have toys at the Ponderosa, they also had clothes to change into. Young would always be outside with either Hoss or Little Joe investigating things. Libba mostly stayed in the house with her beloved grandfather and one of her favorite dolls. Both children wore jeans here \u2013 eating was a messy business for them. Sam didn\u2019t want their \u201cgood\u201d clothes to be ruined forever.<\/p>\n Hoss helped Young put on his jeans and shirt and a scuffed pair of boots. Young hurried because he wanted to see the barn owl that Hoss had told him about.<\/p>\n Ben was left to help Libba change clothes. \u201cYou look so pretty in you pink dress. And your petticoat makes a delightful rustling sound.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba beamed. Compliments from Pop-Pop were special. Daintily, she lifted up her dress and peered at her petticoat. \u201cShow everybody!\u201d she proclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, Libba. Petticoats are not to be seen,\u201d Ben began.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, because they are considered underclothing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause women wear them under their outer clothing. They\u2019re not meant to be shown.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just the way things are,\u201d Ben said, struggling to get Libba out of her dress, petticoat, shoes and little tights.<\/p>\n \u201cMama showed me her petticoat.\u201d Libba poked out her bottom lip.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay if Mama and Papa see your underthings,\u201d Ben prompted. \u201cAnd it\u2019s okay if Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe and I see them. But young ladies must be very proper at all times in front of other people.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba sucked her lip back in. She liked being called a \u201cyoung lady.\u201d And she was soon dressed in her own pair of little jeans and scuffed boots. She wore one of Young\u2019s shirts. Grabbing her doll by an arm and holding onto Ben\u2019s hand, they walked downstairs.<\/p>\n Ben sat in his chair and reached for his pipe. Libba loved to watch the ritual of first cleaning old tobacco from the pipe, adding fresh tobacco and then lighting the pipe. She particularly liked the smell of the tobacco. She climbed into his lap, her doll in her arms, and smiled as she heard the familiar \u201cclick\u201d of the pipe stem between Ben\u2019s teeth. Even when she was all grown up with children of her own, if she smelled that same tobacco, she would remember her days of sitting with her grandfather while he smoked his pipe.<\/p>\n *******************<\/p>\n Hoss and Young came in and were followed closely by Sam and Adam. Sam had a twig sticking out of her hair. Adam spied it and removed it, but not before Ben and Hoss saw what was going on.<\/p>\n \u201cHave a nice ride, did you?\u201d Ben asked, his eyes twinkling.<\/p>\n \u201cWonderful,\u201d Adam grinned.<\/p>\n Sam blushed. \u201cWhere\u2019s Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be home in time to eat,\u201d Hoss advised them. \u201cWe won\u2019t have to wait long.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI caught a fish yesterday, Pop-Pop!\u201d Young exclaimed. \u201cBut Papa said we should put it back in the water because it was too young to leave its family. And Libba ate a worm.\u201d<\/p>\n As Little Joe walked in the door, Libba\u2019s face lit up. \u201cWorm!\u201d she exclaimed.<\/p>\n Sam and Adam looked at each other.<\/p>\n \u201cShe won\u2019t\u2026\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n Sam sighed. \u201cI\u2019m afraid she will.\u201d<\/p>\n And she did.<\/p>\n CHAPTER FIVE<\/strong><\/p>\n Libba looked up at Ben, her eyes bright. \u201cYoung has a worm!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s wonderful. Where is it?\u201d Ben had no idea what Libba really meant, unfortunately.<\/p>\n \u201cIn his pants,\u201d Libba said, matter-of-factly.<\/p>\n Ben remembered back to when Hoss and Joe were small. He smiled at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Hoss had a frog and Uncle Joe had a salamander in their pockets. They were real proud.\u201d Apparently Ben hadn\u2019t been listening to what Libba was specifically saying. There was no mention of Young\u2019s \u201cpockets.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba looked at Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe, her eyes big and round and horrified.<\/p>\n \u201cPop, wait\u2026\u201d Sam tried to interject.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Libba, a worm will get squashed in Young\u2019s pocket. He needs to set it free out by the water trough.\u201d Ben talked on.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026\u201d Adam tried to get his father\u2019s attention before it was too late.<\/p>\n A single tear rolled down Libba\u2019s cheek. \u201cBut that will hurt him. Mama and Papa told me not to hurt the worm. Papa says it\u2019s very sensitive.\u201d She crawled out of Ben\u2019s lap and stood by Young, ready to protect him.<\/p>\n \u201cPa!\u201d shouted Adam. \u201cWe were bathing the kids together and Libba discovered a\u2026um\u2026part of Young\u2019s anatomy that she\u2019d never noticed before. She thought it was a worm and tried to pull it off. It hurt Young and we explained to her that she should never do that again.\u201d<\/p>\n The dawn of realization hit Ben. His pipe dropped out of his mouth and a cinder burned a hole in his pants. Hoss turned red as a beet and Little Joe went into a giggling fit. Sam covered her face and her shoulders shook. Adam tried very hard to keep a straight face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean that Libba thought\u2026? Um, she thinks Hoss has a frog\u2026? And Joe has a salamander..?\u201d Ben couldn\u2019t make a complete sentence.<\/p>\n Adam nodded, a lop-sided grin plastered on his face. Sam had laughed so hard that she cried; Adam handed her a handkerchief to wipe her face on.<\/p>\n For the first time in a long time, Adam watched his father\u2019s face redden. Ben looked at the hole in his pants sadly. And he was still speechless \u2013 but only for a short time.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, stop that giggling! Libba, come here, sweetheart.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba didn\u2019t move and poked out her lower lip defiantly. \u201cDon\u2019t hurt Young!\u201d<\/p>\n Finally, Ben began to smile. \u201cI\u2019m not going to hurt Young. I just didn\u2019t understand what you were telling me. Now, come sit with me and we\u2019ll clear up this misunderstanding.\u201d<\/p>\n Slowly, Libba walked over to Ben and allowed him to lift her up onto his lap. She still had her favorite doll in one hand and planned to use it as a weapon if necessary.<\/p>\n Young saved the day. He had listened intently to the anatomy lesson given by Sam. He knew all the correct terminology of his and Libba\u2019s body parts and explained to Libba that he did not have a worm attached to his body. What he did have was supposed to be there and would grow there and would be there until he died.<\/p>\n Ben, trying desperately to make amends, explained that Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe \u2013 even himself \u2013 and every other man in the world, had the same body parts. Uncle Hoss\u2019s \u201cprivate parts\u201d did not look like a frog and Uncle Joe\u2019s did not look like a salamander. Looking at Libba\u2019s solemn face, Ben did stretch a point \u2013 he said that Libba made an honest mistake thinking that her brother had a worm attached to his body.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not very pretty, is it?\u201d Libba whispered in Ben\u2019s ear. Nobody else heard what she said.<\/p>\n Ben roared with laughter. And he would never tell anyone why. \u201cI guess it\u2019s not going to win any prizes,\u201d he whispered back.<\/p>\n Anatomy class was over. Thank God. But with Libba and Young, one never knew quite what to expect\u2026<\/p>\n ********************<\/p>\n Hop Sing had baked three chickens, platters of vegetables from the garden, and there was lemon pie for dessert.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere are the bat wings and buzzard lips and the hundred year old egg?\u201d Young teased the cook.<\/p>\n \u201cSave for later. Good for snack,\u201d Hop Sing grinned and returned to the kitchen.<\/p>\n As Young rose from the table, he tripped over his chair leg and fell. He said something unintelligible \u2013 except to Libba and to Sam. Libba clapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. Sam gaped.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung Cartwright! Where did you hear that word!\u201d<\/p>\n Young shrugged. He was not going to be a tattletale.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n Sam\u2019s face was angry. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to know, Pop.\u201d But Sam strode by Ben and went into the kitchen. Voices were heard but the words were all in Chinese. There was a hush in the dining room as ears strained to try to understand what was going on.<\/p>\n Sam emerged, ready to explain; her face had softened. But Hop Sing shuffled in, his face sad.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing velly solly, Mister Ben. One time Hop Sing clumsy. Drop heavy pan on foot. Say bad word in front of children. Another time, Hop Sing hit thumb with rolling pin. Say bad word again. Children hear. They learn bad word from dishonorable cook.\u201d Hop Sing bowed his head.<\/p>\n Young puffed up his chest. \u201cI heard Papa say \u2018damn\u2019 and \u2018hell\u2019 and nobody fussed at him! Mama said it too!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam clapped his hand over his son\u2019s mouth. Young was telling the truth. Apparently, the children heard more than anyone knew.<\/p>\n Sam knelt down. \u201cYoung, \u2018damn\u2019 and \u2018hell\u2019 aren\u2019t nice words, and Papa and I will try not to use them again. When you and Libba are grown up, I can\u2019t tell you what you can and can\u2019t say. But what you said a minute ago was a really bad word. You didn\u2019t know that. Hop Sing didn\u2019t deliberately teach you that word, and I never want either you or Libba to say it again. Is that understood?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d both children answered solemnly.<\/p>\n Hop Sing stood quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing,\u201d Ben said gently, \u201cplease watch what you say when you know the children are around. You made a mistake. We all make mistakes. This is one mistake that must not happen again. And that goes for me and Hoss and Little Joe too.\u201d<\/p>\n Heads nodded.<\/p>\n Ben lightened the mood immediately. \u201cWho wants to hear the story about the day that Young and Libba\u2019s Papa climbed a tree and couldn\u2019t get back down?\u201d<\/p>\n Everybody did.<\/p>\n CHAPTER SIX<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben sat down in his chair, Young and Libba at his feet; Hoss, and Little Joe sat on the sofa with Sam sandwiched in between them; Adam sat in another chair.<\/p>\n Ben began, looking into his grandchildren\u2019s eyes. \u201cOne day, when your Papa was maybe seven years old, he decided to climb a very big tree. Getting to the branches he knew would support him was the easy part. Getting back down was the hard part. I knew your Papa was outside playing, so I didn\u2019t worry about him until it began to get close to supper time. I went outside and called for him to come in. He told me that he couldn\u2019t. At first, I wasn\u2019t sure where his voice was coming from, but when he told me that he had a \u201cproblem,\u201d I looked up to where I heard his voice. There he was, sitting on a big tree branch. I told him again to get down out of that tree. He told me that he couldn\u2019t get down. And it was too far to the ground to jump from the tree limb. I knew from the sound of his voice that he was afraid. I was afraid too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were afraid, Pop-Pop?\u201d Young\u2019s eyes got big. He couldn\u2019t imagine his grandfather, with the booming voice, being afraid of anything. Nor could he imagine his Papa, with his strong arms, being scared to climb down.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I was! But I couldn\u2019t let your Papa know that. So he and I discussed the problem. I told him that he could climb back down and that I would tell him where to put his feet and hands. I told him that we would work as a team. Your Papa was very smart, even then, and he liked the idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what did you and Papa do?\u201d Young was impatient.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, your Papa figured out where some good places were to hang onto with his hands. I figured out some good places for him to put his feet. It took a while, but your Papa came down all by himself. I was very proud of him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you and Papa were scared!\u201d Young said, sounding a little disappointed in the two men he worshipped the most.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung,\u201d Ben began, \u201cthere are times in everybody\u2019s lives when they are scared. Children and grown-ups. Men and women. It\u2019s how each person deals with that fear that\u2019s important. The idea is to not panic. Take time to think about the situation first. Using your brain is very important. Your Papa and I used our brains, and we used them together. And things worked out fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t Uncle Hoss push the tree down?\u201d Libba asked, using the first long sentence that Sam and Adam had heard recently.<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Hoss was just a baby,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe was in the house with Mrs. Oliver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho was Mrs. Oliver?\u201d Young asked, looking confused. He had just assumed that his Papa\u2019s mother was mother to Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe.<\/p>\n Ben looked at Adam and then at Sam. Sam nodded. Ben took that nod to mean it was all right to talk about his three wives.<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, please bring me the pictures from my desk,\u201d Ben asked, hoping he could handle this situation well.<\/p>\n When Ben had the pictures in his hand, he showed the first picture. It was of Adam\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, this is your Papa\u2019s mother,\u201d Ben said. He looked at Sam and saw her pinch her fingers together. His interpretation was that he should tell as little as possible. So he did just that.<\/p>\n \u201cShe got very sick and went to Heaven to be with God. Libba, you were named \u2018Elizabeth\u2019 in memory of your grandmother. Young began calling you \u2018Libba\u2019 and we like that name too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben showed the next picture. \u201cSeveral years after your Papa\u2019s mother died, I married Inger, Uncle Hoss\u2019s mother. She went to Heaven too. And then I married Uncle Joe\u2019s mother, Marie. She went to Heaven to be with Elizabeth and Inger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre they friends in Heaven?\u201d Libba asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, of course<\/em> they are!\u201d Ben said as he smiled. \u201cAnd they look down on our family and are happy because we all love each other so much. They are with us always, even though we can\u2019t see them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre Mama and Papa going to leave us and go to Heaven too?\u201d Young was concerned.<\/p>\n \u201cNot for a very, very long time,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cLook how old I<\/em> am, and I\u2019m<\/em> still here.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba never missed a thing. She saw that Pop-Pop\u2019s eyes were filling with water. She crawled into his lap and put her tiny hand on his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cYour heart hurts,\u201d she said simply.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sometimes it does,\u201d Ben answered truthfully.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it okay if men cry?\u201d Young was curious.<\/p>\n Adam answered this question. \u201cMen have feelings too. Women cry more than men do because they\u2019ve been taught that it\u2019s okay. Men are told to never show tears and that\u2019s wrong thinking. Men are supposed to be tough and brave. But they can cry, too. They just are careful who sees them do it. It\u2019s not a sign of weakness. As a matter of fact, when you and Libba were born, I cried. I cried because I was so happy!\u201d<\/p>\n Young looked at his father and made a face. \u201cYou cried because Libba didn\u2019t have any hair<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n This was the perfect tension breaker. Adam jumped up and hoisted Young in the air by his heels. Young squealed with laughter \u2013 such a happy sound that it was contagious.<\/p>\n Ben looked at Sam, saw her smile and nod \u2013 apparently he had handled the situation well.<\/p>\n Hop Sing entered the room. So much time had passed, he had cooked another meal. The subject of death and tears wasn\u2019t brought up again.<\/p>\n CHAPTER SEVEN<\/strong><\/p>\n During the unplanned evening meal, Young asked what his Papa had been like growing up. This was a question that even Sam was interested in hearing about.<\/p>\n Ben smiled. \u201cYour Papa was a very intelligent boy. He loved to read \u2013 all different kinds of books. Books about different places in the world. Books about different kinds of people and about their lives. Poetry books. Books about building all different kinds of things. Books about all kinds of animals. He wanted to know how to take things apart and then how to put them back together. I had a clock in my bedroom, and he used to take all of its parts out and then put it back together. I didn\u2019t even know he was doing it until one day I noticed it was working just fine except for the fact that it was running backwards. He took it apart again and made it work right. He loved school. He studied hard and got good grades. He had very good manners and was always respectful. He had lots of friends. He loved to go fishing. He especially loved riding. When he was sixteen or so, he knew more about horses than a lot of grown men knew. He loved funny jokes and he loved to laugh. He loved to play games \u2013 especially cribbage and chess.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba stopped chasing the peas on her plate. \u201cPapa\u2019s strong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he is,\u201d Ben replied. \u201cHe\u2019s strong on the outside because he\u2019s done a lot of chores in his lifetime \u2013 chopping wood and mending fences and chopping down trees that go to the lumber mill. That kind of work builds lots of muscles. And he\u2019s strong on the inside too. He has a good sense of right and wrong. Like everybody, he\u2019s made a lot of mistakes in his life, but he learned from them. He stands up for what he believes in. He doesn\u2019t lie about anything. People respect your Papa. That\u2019s the thing that\u2019s most important \u2013 respect that one has earned from other people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWas he ever bad?\u201d Sam asked, wrinkling her nose.<\/p>\n Ben chuckled. \u201cHe may have done some bad things but he wasn\u2019t bad himself.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam pushed the subject. \u201cWhat bad things did he do?\u201d She had a method to her madness. She didn\u2019t want Young and Libba to think that their father was perfect.<\/p>\n \u201cI can answer that question,\u201d Adam interjected. \u201cI took some candy from the store, a whole lot of candy. I ate most of it in a hurry. Pop-Pop found the candy that was left under my pillow and asked me where it had come from. Well, I didn\u2019t want Pop-Pop to know I was a thief, so I lied and said I didn\u2019t know where it had come from. And you know what happened? I got my fanny spanked really hard. Pop-Pop told me that stealing was wrong but lying about it was even worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba and Young looked at their father, goggle-eyed. They had never been spanked \u2013 they had never needed a spanking. The thing they hated the worst was the dreaded \u201ctalking to\u201d that they got if they did something wrong.<\/p>\n \u201cPop-Pop told me that I could always tell him the truth. He might get upset about something I\u2019d done, but I could always expect for him to be angry if I told a lie. And the next day, I had to go to the store \u2013 all by myself \u2013 and tell the storekeeper that I had stolen a bunch of candy and that I would do whatever work it took to pay for what I\u2019d done. I ended up having to sweep the store and put cans on shelves and dust the display cases for a whole day!\u201d<\/p>\n Young and Libba were impressed. So was Sam. How interesting it was to hear Ben and Adam talk so openly and honestly. And it was good for both Young and Libba to see that there are consequences to doing something wrong.<\/p>\n Soon it was time to take the little ones home. Young fought to stay awake and give hugs to everybody, but Libba finally drifted off to sleep in Ben\u2019s lap. Gently, he handed his granddaughter to Sam as she sat in the buggy. Sam blew Ben a kiss; Adam pulled away slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a rather interesting day,\u201d Adam said with a wry grin.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed it has,\u201d Sam giggled. \u201cThe kids will now take separate baths. And we\u2019ll have to watch our own language.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly what<\/em> did Young say in Chinese?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n Sam told him.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, my God!\u201d<\/em> was all Adam could say. \u201cI didn\u2019t know that word until I was in college!\u201d<\/p>\n CHAPTER EIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\n Adam was standing in the bedroom in front of the mirror, pants slung low on his hips, and was busy shaving. Young watched in fascination as his father made the razor glide over his face.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes that hurt?\u201d Young was curious.<\/p>\n \u201cIt stings a little, but it has to be done.\u201d Adam smiled at his son.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens if you don\u2019t shave every day?\u201d Young was mesmerized.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I would grow a beard. Some men have beards and some don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I shave now?\u201d Young was anxious to do what his father did.<\/p>\n Adam laughed. \u201cNot right now. When you get older, you\u2019ll have hair on your face. You can choose to shave it off, or you can grow a mustache, or you can grow a mustache and a beard.\u201d Adam finished shaving, closed the razor, and splashed water on his face to rinse off the shaving soap. Water dripped down onto his chest.<\/p>\n Libba came prancing in the room with nothing on but her boots. She carried a doll which was completely naked.<\/p>\n Adam looked at her and shook his head. \u201cWhy can\u2019t you wear clothes like other little girls? And your doll needs clothes too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t like cloves,\u201d Libba said as she sat down next to her brother. \u201cNo cloves for Mandy (the doll), either.\u201d She poked out her bottom lip.<\/p>\n \u201cLibba, you are a young lady. All young ladies wear clothes. And Mandy has so many pretty little dresses to wear. Maybe Mama will make you dresses that match.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam rushed in, her hands full of clothing for both Libba and the doll. \u201cHonestly, Adam, your daughter runs like a deer. I can\u2019t keep up with her!\u201d Sam rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cUh-huh,\u201d Adam grinned. \u201cLibba is only my daughter now?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took Mandy\u2019s clothes from Sam. \u201cI\u2019ll dress Mandy. You can dress Libba.\u201d<\/p>\n With that, Libba dashed out of the room, clomping in her boots as she ran. Sam ran after her.<\/p>\n Young looked at his father. \u201cYou have lots of hair on your chest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep,\u201d Adam replied, dressing Mandy (which was a much easier job than dressing Libba).<\/p>\n \u201cWill I have hair on my chest too?\u201d Young was full of questions today.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe. Probably. When you get older.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUncle Joe doesn\u2019t have any hair on his chest,\u201d Young pointed out.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he doesn\u2019t. Some men have it and some men don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Young thought. \u201cUncle Hoss has hair on his back too! And Pop-Pop\u2019s hair is white. What color will mine be and how much will I have?\u201d<\/p>\n Young looked so serious; Adam made sure he didn\u2019t laugh when he answered. \u201cA man never knows what he will or will not have until the time comes. I guess it\u2019s a guessing game. I wish I had a better answer, but that\u2019s the best answer I have to give you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Young said, satisfied.<\/p>\n At this point, Libba launched herself through the door and landed in her parents\u2019 big bed. She was followed closely by Sam, a thoroughly frustrated look on her face. She was tired of chasing Libba around and not being able to catch her.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, do something!\u201d<\/p>\n Libba saw her father approaching the bed and immediately pulled the covers over her head. Adam pulled them down and gently dragged his daughter from her hiding place.<\/p>\n \u201cLibba, we have to talk,\u201d Adam said sternly.<\/p>\n Out went Libba\u2019s lip. She hated these \u201ctalks.\u201d \u201cCan I get spanked instead?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. There will be no spanking. But this running around without any clothes on is not appropriate. There are things that people have to do, and one of them is to wear clothes. I don\u2019t care if you wear a dress, or a skirt and blouse, or jeans and a shirt. Shoes or boots will protect your feet from hurtful things. But from now on, you will wear clothes. You will not make your mother chase you to dress you. You can choose what you want to wear and Mama will help you get dressed. You aren\u2019t a baby any more, and it\u2019s time you started acting more grown up. If you don\u2019t do what I say \u2013 and what Mama says \u2013 then you will be punished. Do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n Libba looked at her father slyly. \u201cWhat kind<\/em> of punishment?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sidestepped a direct answer. \u201cThink of what you like the most. That will be taken away from you for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n A frown, reminiscent of one of Sam\u2019s facial expressions, crossed Libba\u2019s face. She sighed. \u201cOkay, Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n But Young couldn\u2019t help but giggle. \u201cLibba\u2019s in trouble,\u201d he chanted.<\/p>\n Adam turned to his son. \u201cAnd the same thing goes for you, young man. You will find that good behavior is much better than bad behavior.\u201d<\/p>\n Young stopped giggling. \u201cYes, sir,\u201d he said solemnly.<\/p>\n Never again did Sam or Adam have a problem with naked children running amok. They had other things to watch out for.<\/p>\n CHAPTER NINE<\/strong><\/p>\n Young and Libba, fully dressed, escaped to the barn and began one of their favorite chores \u2013 currying Sport and Fancy.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa sounded angry,\u201d Young said.<\/p>\n \u201cUh-huh,\u201d Libba answered.<\/p>\n \u201cWonder what our punishment would be?\u201d Young was thinking hard.<\/p>\n \u201cDunno.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want a pony of my own,\u201d Young stated.<\/p>\n \u201cMe too!\u201d Libba smiled.<\/p>\n Young was quiet for a moment. \u201cAnd I wanna shave like Papa. And have a hairy chest and arms like Papa.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba brightened. \u201cMe too!\u201d And she raced into the house to look for her mother.<\/p>\n \u201cMama! Mama!\u201d Libba shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, sweetie?\u201d Sam was kneading bread dough.<\/p>\n \u201cI want a hairy chest like Papa!\u201d<\/p>\n Sam dropped the ball of dough on the counter. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want a hairy chest like Papa. And hairy arms!\u201d<\/p>\n Wiping the flour off her hands, Sam knelt down to look at her daughter. Libba was serious.<\/p>\n \u201cLibba, honey. You\u2019re a girl and you will never have hair on your chest or arms like Papa does. That\u2019s another difference between boys and girls. But there\u2019s one thing that you will be able to do when you get married that Young will never be able to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam smiled. \u201cHave babies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want a pony instead,\u201d said Libba as she ran out to the barn. Babies didn\u2019t impress her much.<\/p>\n Adam leaned against the door frame, toothpick in his mouth. \u201cThat certainly went well,\u201d he said drolly.<\/p>\n Sam threw a piece of dough at her husband. \u201cI wish children were born with an instruction book so I\u2019d know what to say and do.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam peeled the wad of dough from the door jamb, walked over to Sam and kissed her. \u201cYou\u2019re doing just fine. We\u2019re all learning as we go.\u201d He plopped the dough into her hand. \u201cLet\u2019s go to town today. You\u2019ve done a wonderful job of cutting Young\u2019s hair, but he has been wanting a haircut at the barbershop. You and Libba can shop for a while and then we can have lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam smiled. \u201cGive me a minute. This dough needs to be covered. It will rise while we\u2019re gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll hitch up the wagon and round up the kids. Meet you outside in a few minutes.\u201d Strapping on his gun and putting on his hat, Adam headed outside.<\/p>\n CHAPTER TEN<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cCan I hold the reins, Papa?\u201d Young asked when everybody was seated in the buggy.<\/p>\n \u201cNot all by yourself, son,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cWe can hold the reins together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen can I hold the reins all by myself?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you get a little older, son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish I would hurry up and get older,\u201d Young sighed. \u201cBut today I\u2019m going to a real barbershop!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too!\u201d chortled Libba.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Libba,\u201d Sam said gently. \u201cGirls don\u2019t go to barbershops. Only men do.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba poked out her tongue. \u201cI wanna have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you like to shop with me?\u201d Sam asked, her nose wrinkling as she smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am. We can buy cloves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf we find something that we like, then we can buy clothes,\u201d Sam answered.<\/p>\n That seemed to satisfy Libba. Adam started singing a song and everybody joined in until they got to Virginia City.<\/p>\n *******************<\/p>\n Sam kissed Adam on the cheek before he and Young headed for the barbershop. \u201cLet\u2019s meet at the International House for lunch in an hour,\u201d Sam suggested.<\/p>\n Adam nodded and took Young\u2019s hand as they headed off in the opposite direction from Sam. As father and son neared the barbershop, Young sped ahead and ran in the door. He came out, his face white as a ghost.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa! We can\u2019t go there! Mister Rankin is trying to kill somebody!\u201d Young was out of breath.<\/p>\n Adam had no idea what was going on, but he loosened his gun in its holster. Just in case it was needed. \u201cYou sit right here and don\u2019t move. I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d<\/p>\n Young did as he was told. And his father returned quickly with a smile on his face. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Young. Mister Rankin isn\u2019t trying to kill anyone. Let me show you what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n Young, still frightened, took Adam\u2019s hand and walked into the barbershop.<\/p>\n \u201cGood morning again, Phillip,\u201d Adam said in greeting, a smile playing about his lips. \u201cMy son and I would like to have haircuts today.\u201d<\/p>\n Phillip Rankin looked at Young \u2013 the boy was a carbon copy of his father. \u201cHave a seat, Adam. I\u2019ll finish with the sheriff here and will be right with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Young squeaked. He didn\u2019t see Sheriff Coffee anywhere. All he saw was a man leaning back in the barber chair with his face completely covered by a big towel with steam coming out of it.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Morning\u2019, Adam. Did I hear you say you brought Young with you?\u201d Roy\u2019s hand lifted in greeting.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung is getting his first \u201cgrown-up\u201d haircut today,\u201d Adam said as he sat down. \u201cBut I must say, you and Phillip gave him quite a scare. He saw you with the towel on your face and thought that Phillip was killing you.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Phillip and Roy chuckled as Phillip unwrapped the towel from Roy\u2019s face and pushed the chair upright.<\/p>\n Young looked very confused. Phillip explained. \u201cI put the wet, hot towels on Sheriff Coffee\u2019s face to make his beard softer. It makes it easier to shave that way. Now I put on some shaving soap and start to shave his face.\u201d<\/p>\n Young was both relieved and entranced as he watched Phillip apply the shaving soap and then deftly use the razor. When this process was done, Roy walked over and shook hands with Adam. And then he shook hands with Young. Young felt very grown up. Roy left and Young climbed into the waiting chair.<\/p>\n And he was very good while Phillip cut his hair. Adam had only had to tell his son one time to stop wiggling. When the cutting was done, Phillip handed Young a mirror so he could see the results. Young was proud \u2013 he looked like his Papa with his black wavy hair cut in basically the same style. As Young got out of the chair, Adam sat down and had his own hair cut. Young didn\u2019t sit down again. He leaned against the wall as he watched. He had inherited another of his father\u2019s characteristics to go along with the way Adam crossed his arms and the way he walked.<\/p>\n CHAPTER ELEVEN<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Sam and Libba were looking at different things in the store. Mindy came in, with her very pregnant tummy preceding her. She and Sam hugged each other happily.<\/p>\n Mindy ran her hands through Libba\u2019s hair. \u201cHonestly, Sam, this child gets prettier every day.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam smiled. \u201cShe\u2019s such a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n No sooner had Sam spoken than Libba piped up. \u201cMiz Barton\u2019s fat.\u201d<\/p>\n Mindy laughed out loud as Sam gaped and blushed. \u201cMindy, I\u2019m so sorry. Libba didn\u2019t mean that the way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Mindy continued to laugh. \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Sam! Do you know how often I hear that from other children? Mostly they say it behind my back, but the truth is the truth. I do look fat. It\u2019s hard for a child to know the difference between being fat and being pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPreg\u2019unt,\u201d Libba parroted. \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam knelt down, hearing Mindy\u2019s giggle, and said, \u201c\u2019Pregnant\u2019. It means she\u2019s going to have a baby. She carries the baby in her tummy and that\u2019s what makes her look different. I looked the same way before you and Young were born.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba stared at Mindy\u2019s tummy. \u201cDoes it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n Mindy hadn\u2019t stopped laughing. \u201cNo, Libba, it doesn\u2019t hurt. Not at all. It just looks funny.\u201d<\/p>\n Libba lost interest and began looking around the store. Sam told Mindy the story about Young, Libba and the \u201cworm.\u201d Mindy laughed til she cried.<\/p>\n \u201cI just came in for a pickle or two,\u201d Mindy said, wiping the tears from her face. \u201cYou two have really perked me up. Frankly, I\u2019m tired of not seeing my feet and being constantly kicked at night. I can\u2019t remember when I had a good sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n Sam nodded. \u201cI understand. I\u2019m so glad I got to see you. Let\u2019s get together as soon as you feel like it.\u201d<\/p>\n Mindy bought a whole pickle jar and winked at Sam. They hugged again, and Mindy left.<\/p>\n Sam found Libba looking at a jar of candy. Libba looked up at Sam. \u201cWas I bad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, honey. You just didn\u2019t know.\u201d Sam smiled at her precious daughter.<\/p>\n When the two left the store, Sam had patterns and cloth to make dresses for Libba and her doll and a few yards of cloth for herself. Libba had a small bag of candy to share with Young after lunch.<\/p>\n CHAPTER TWELVE<\/strong><\/p>\n Sam and Libba entered The International House and found Adam and Young already seated and waiting.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think, Libba? These men look very handsome. Do you think they\u2019ll let us sit with them?\u201d Sam winked at Adam.<\/p>\n Adam rose to his feet and prompted Young with a whispered, \u201cA gentleman always stands up when ladies come to the table.\u201d<\/p>\n Young stood up. He so wanted to be like his father.<\/p>\n Adam pretended to hesitate. Then he spoke to his son. \u201cYoung, here are two lovely ladies whose company we could enjoy. Shall we ask them to sit with us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir!\u201d Young answered, getting into the swing of the game.<\/p>\n Adam took Sam\u2019s hand. Young watched and took Libba\u2019s hand. Adam spoke for himself and for Young.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you lovely ladies like to join us for lunch? The food here is quite good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, we would be most delighted. Thank you very much.\u201d Sam spoke, but Libba giggled.<\/p>\n Adam pulled a chair out for Sam to be seated. Young did the same for Libba. He intuited that this was another thing that a \u201cgentleman\u201d did.<\/p>\n Adam pushed Sam\u2019s chair gently under the table. Young tried to do the same for Libba but almost turned the chair over in the process. Adam grabbed it just in time to steady it without being too obvious.<\/p>\n Libba continued to giggle and soon had Sam giggling too.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung, your haircut makes you look grown up,\u201d Sam praised.<\/p>\n \u201cSheriff Coffee had a towel on his face.\u201d Young looked at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Adam explained, \u201cPhillip had put a hot towel on Roy\u2019s face and reclined the chair. It looked like Phillip was trying to kill Roy. But he was just softening Roy\u2019s beard.\u201d<\/p>\n Though Adam didn\u2019t elaborate, Sam read between the lines. She imagined how Young must have interpreted that scene.<\/p>\n The menus were already on the table. Adam and Young had already made their choices, and Sam and Libba quickly made theirs. The waitress took their orders and hurried to the kitchen.<\/p>\n Adam and Sam put their napkins in their laps. Young and Libba did the same. It was plain that they wanted to copy their parents\u2019 every move. And, when Henrietta and Thelma stopped to say hello, Adam stood up. So did Young. The two women were righteously impressed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat wonderful manners!\u201d exclaimed Henrietta. \u201cIt\u2019s so nice to see well-raised children these days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what beautiful children they both are,\u201d gushed Thelma. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to tell Drucilla and Delmas!\u201d<\/p>\n The two women trotted off to a nearby table and sat down. They both agreed that the children were exceptional.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, a rather obese Mrs. Brandt and her husband happened to pass the table where Sam and Adam were seated.<\/p>\n Up jumped Libba with glee. \u201cPreg\u2019unt!\u201d she shouted and pointed at a very prim and proper Mrs. Brandt.<\/p>\n Sam pulled Libba back down into a seated position, but the damage was done. Waddling to the table, Mrs. Brandt glared at Libba. Adam and Young rose to their feet, but they were ignored.<\/p>\n \u201cI am most certainly not pregnant. What a coarse and vulgar word you\u2019ve taught your child,\u201d Mrs. Brandt spat, glaring at Sam.<\/p>\n Libba didn\u2019t like this lady\u2019s attitude. Adam and Young both looked confused. So Libba spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cNot preg\u2019unt? Then just fat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHorace!\u201d screeched Mrs. Brandt. \u201cSay something!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go sit down, dear,\u201d was all Horace could think of to say.<\/p>\n \u201cNot until I get an apology!\u201d Mrs. Brandt maintained.<\/p>\n Sam spoke quietly but with authority. \u201cI make no apologies for what my daughter said. She is just a child and has yet to learn the difference between being pregnant and being overweight. And, for your information, the word \u2018pregnant\u2019 is the correct terminology for being \u2018with child\u2019. She may have been confused about the first description of you, but she wasn\u2019t confused about the second one. Now, if you\u2019ll excuse us, our lunch is being served.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs. Brandt\u2019s face went florid, and her mouth opened but no words came out. Horace grabbed her by the arm and propelled her across the room to a table.<\/p>\n Adam and Young sat down. Adam looked at Sam. \u201cYou realize you just insulted the wife of the president of our bank.\u201d But Adam didn\u2019t look angry.<\/p>\n Sam shrugged. \u201cShe\u2019s an insulting woman. She could\u2019ve handled the situation in any number of other ways.\u201d<\/p>\n Young jumped to Libba\u2019s defense quickly. \u201cShe is fat!\u201d He had followed what his mother said closely and thus had figured out what \u201cpregnant\u201d meant.<\/p>\n Adam choked on his lemonade. \u201cI think you\u2019d better tell me what your day has been like. Libba\u2019s learned a new word and I\u2019m curious to know where it came from.\u201d He grinned his lop-sided grin.<\/p>\n Sam recapped the meeting and the conversation with Mindy from the shopping trip. Adam put his napkin over his mouth so he wouldn\u2019t laugh out loud.<\/p>\n \u201cMama?\u201d Libba asked. \u201cWas I bad?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly not, honey,\u201d Sam replied, stroking Libba\u2019s cheek. \u201cBut a good thing to remember from now on is to not make comments about anybody. There are fat people and skinny ones. Tall ones and short ones. Ugly ones and pretty ones. There are some who have a different color skin. There are some who can\u2019t walk without crutches or are sitting in a wheelchair. There are some who can\u2019t talk plainly. But they all have feelings, and I know you wouldn\u2019t want to hurt those feelings on purpose. These are things that you and Young should both learn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe still is fat,\u201d Young piped up. \u201cIs it okay if we tell you and Papa that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you whisper it so quietly that nobody else can hear. No pointing at people and then whispering. People know when they\u2019re being talked about.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was gentle.<\/p>\n After lunch, Young and Libba, watching their parents, folded their napkins and put them neatly on the table. It was time to go back home.<\/p>\n Thanks to Henrietta and Thelma, this particular story spread like wildfire through Virginia City. It was certainly good for a laugh.<\/p>\n CHAPTER THIRTEEN<\/strong><\/p>\n Susan and Rob returned from their vacation and were thrilled to receive such warm hugs from the children. Susan had brought back a small silver necklace for Libba \u2013 which she immediately wore – and a real leather shirt for Young \u2013 who peeled off the shirt he was wearing and donned the leather shirt. Both children were ecstatic, and Susan and Rob were very touched at the kids\u2019 reactions. Rascal ran in circles and barked.<\/p>\n Inside the house, Susan listened \u2013 and laughed \u2013 while Sam told what had been going on during the Dods\u2019 absence. Susan told about the trip to the Indian Reservation and sadly shook her head. All of the Indians had been great nations unto themselves, and now they were stuck on reservations \u2013 their old world lost to them and having to face a new world ahead of them.<\/p>\n Sam was sympathetic. \u201cWe can\u2019t undo what\u2019s already been done. But we can hope for \u2013 and work toward \u2013 a better tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n The conversation changed to small talk and then Sam asked a question. \u201cYou told me that I would have twins. Do you still believe that?\u201d<\/p>\n Susan smiled wisely. \u201cIt\u2019s true, Miz Sam. But the time is not yet right. You and Mister Adam are learnin\u2019 right now. The babies\u2019ll come when you least expect it, and you\u2019ll be better prepared to handle every situation. Take this time and enjoy your husband. The Great Manitou will give you babies at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s mind wasn\u2019t on babies right now. He and Rob had to discuss the expansion of the bunk house. The Pines needed more ranch hands. Fences needed to be mended; line shacks needed to be stocked. Adam had stayed close to the house while Susan and Rob were gone so he could help with the children. He was ready to get out of the house now and tend to things he knew about instead of delegating jobs to the ranch hands.<\/p>\n Rob grinned. \u201cChildren are a blessing, but they see and say the strangest things.\u201d<\/p>\n When Adam told Rob about the things that the children had said or done, Rob laughed heartily. How could he not laugh?<\/p>\n CHAPTER FOURTEEN<\/strong><\/p>\n Weeks later, Adam was taking a nice, hot, quiet bath when Young and Rascal came into the room. When Rascal saw the bathtub, he ran away. He hated baths.<\/p>\n \u201cCan I take a bath with you?\u201d he asked. \u201cMama says I smell like an old barn.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t stop to think that there would be a problem. He never deliberately hid his nudity from his son \u2013 Young just wasn\u2019t around when Adam had no clothes on.<\/p>\n \u201cPut your clothes in the corner to be washed,\u201d Adam directed and then made room in the tub for Young.<\/p>\n The two played and splashed and lathered and bathed. But when Adam stood up to pour a warm bucket of water over his body to rinse off all the soap, Young grew still. And quiet. And he stared at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, son?\u201d Adam asked, not thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, I don\u2019t look exactly like you do,\u201d Young said slowly.<\/p>\n Adam followed the direction of his son\u2019s eyes. In an instant, he knew what Young was referring to.<\/p>\n \u201cNot now, you don\u2019t look like me,\u201d Adam said, not quite knowing how to handle this situation. \u201cBut, as you grow, so will the rest of you. You will have to start shaving \u2013 do you remember when we talked about that? And you will have hair on your body in different places. And then the rest of you will grow too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d said Young. He wasn\u2019t sure if he wanted to grow up like Papa or not. The thought was rather scary.<\/p>\n And when he told his sister what he had seen, the ever-curious Libba decided she needed to take a closer look at her mother. Libba wanted to know what to expect when she grew up.<\/p>\n That night, after reading time and singing time were over, Libba feigned sleep. She heard her father go downstairs and heard her mother say that she was going to get into her nightgown. Libba scurried down the hall quietly on her bare feet and entered her parents\u2019 bedroom. Only Rascal heard the patter of small feet, and he followed.<\/p>\n Sam was sitting in front of the mirror at her dressing table, clad only in her camisole and pantalets.<\/p>\n \u201cLibba, honey, you should be asleep now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot sleepy,\u201d Libba lied as she sat down on the big bed.<\/p>\n Sam wasn\u2019t stupid. Adam had told her already about the \u201cbath tub\u201d incident with Young, and Sam wondered if Libba might be curious enough to see a grown woman\u2019s body. But Sam had to act natural, and it was difficult under the scrutiny of her daughter\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n Sam stood up and reached for her nightgown hanging on its hook on the wall. Taking a deep breath, she pulled off her camisole. Sneaking a peak at her daughter, she saw wide eyes. Instead of pulling the nightgown over her head and then removing her pantalets, thus covering at least part of herself, she decided to just go ahead and get this over with. Off came the pantalets.<\/p>\n Libba\u2019s eyes were wide as pie plates. \u201cPapa has a hairy chest all the way to his toes. Your hair slipped and fell down half way!\u201d<\/p>\n Naked, Sam smiled. \u201cWomen never have hair on their chests. It\u2019s supposed to be this way. You\u2019ll look like this when you grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNoooooo,\u201d Libba protested. \u201cAnd I like my chest now!\u201d<\/p>\n Sam put on her nightgown and held her daughter in her lap. \u201cYou can\u2019t stop the growing- up process, Libba. When you have babies of your own, you need a way to feed them. You\u2019ve seen mama cows feed their babies and mama horses feed their babies. It\u2019s completely natural. All women have breasts. God made us that way for a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUgh!\u201d Libba said as she slid from her mother\u2019s lap. \u201c Not me! Not gonna grow up!\u201d She fled out the door, her lip poking out, Rascal in fast pursuit. But Libba and Rascal sneaked into Young\u2019s room for a minute \u2013 Libba had to tell her brother what she\u2019d seen.<\/p>\n \u201cEwww\u2026\u201d was Young\u2019s reply. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too neither,\u201d Libba replied and then hurried to her own room, pulling the covers over her head. Rascal ran back to Young\u2019s room.<\/p>\n Later, when Adam came to bed, Sam related what had happened with Libba. She ended up having to put her hand over Adam\u2019s mouth to keep him from laughing so loud.<\/p>\n CHAPTER FIFTEEN<\/strong><\/p>\n Sam had kept up with her journals every day. There was one incident that was never mentioned. It happened early one morning as Sam and Adam were enjoying an unplanned, intimate moment.<\/p>\n Rascal had wakened Young \u2013 the dog needed to go outside. Young sleepily took the dog downstairs and heard strange sounds coming from behind his parents\u2019 closed door. Rascal went outside and Young went back upstairs. The noises were louder now.<\/p>\n He ran to Libba\u2019s room, woke her, and asked her what to do. Both children knew that a closed door meant privacy \u2013 they had been taught that a long time ago. But curiosity got the best of them and, together, they quietly opened that closed door.<\/p>\n What they saw appeared to be one moving lump under the covers. And the noises continued.<\/p>\n \u201cMama?\u201d squeaked Libba.<\/p>\n The lump stopped moving.<\/p>\n Sam and Adam saw two pair of wide eyes staring at them from the doorway. One lump became two distinct lumps.<\/p>\n \u201cWe heard strange noises,\u201d Young said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you were worried?\u201d asked Sam. She sounded out of breath.<\/p>\n \u201cUh-huh. I mean \u2018yes, ma\u2019am\u2019,\u201d answered Libba.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa and I are just playing,\u201d Sam said. This was not the time for a talk about \u201cthe birds and the bees.\u201d \u201cDid we wake you up?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRascal woke me up,\u201d Young answered.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung woke me up,\u201d Libba stated. \u201cAnd I\u2019m hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam spoke. He had to. Sam was shaking with laughter. \u201cOkay, you two. Go get dressed, help each other if you need to. Mama and I will fix breakfast in a minute. Now close the door, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Young and Sam heard adult giggles. They didn\u2019t understand the reason, but they were more interested in breakfast than anything else.<\/p>\n \u201cWe gotta put a lock on that door,\u201d Sam said, laughing softly and wrinkling her nose.<\/p>\n Adam sat up and ran his fingers through his tousled hair. \u201cOur children have extremely bad timing.\u201d<\/p>\n CHAPTER SIXTEEN<\/strong><\/p>\n Days passed. Weeks passed. Years passed. Young and Libba learned that life could be wonderful in many ways and life could be either cruel or unfair. Animals were born, animals died. Animals were butchered for food. Winters could be fun or bring blizzards that were deadly. Spring would always bring new life. Summers could be a time for growing things or they could bring droughts that scorched the earth.<\/p>\n Sam smiled one night as she read her journals detailing Young and Libba\u2019s growth. She flipped through the pages, specific entries catching her eye.<\/p>\n From Libba\u2019s journal: Today was Pop\u2019s birthday and we had a surprise party, just for the family, in his honor. Tomorrow, there will be another celebration at the Ponderosa \u2013 all his friends have been invited. Hop Sing sneaked out of the house and spent the morning here helping Young and Libba make their first cake. He did the measuring of the ingredients and let them do everything else. I stayed away from the kitchen. When Pop, Uncle Hoss, Uncle Joe and Hop Sing arrived, we had a wonderful supper. Then the kids presented the cake. It tilted dangerously to one side, was relatively raw in places and was overcooked in places. The icing was really the best part, but it bore signs that Libba had been licking it before it was served. She had icing up her nose. But Pop declared that it was the best and the prettiest cake he had ever had. For once, Hop Sing didn\u2019t get his feeling hurt over such a proclamation. We all sang songs after supper, Libba sitting in Pop\u2019s lap with Young at his side. They love their Pop-Pop so much. How adorable they were.<\/em><\/p>\n From Young\u2019s journal: Young grows more like Adam every day. He leans on everything. He walks with the same fluid motion that his father does. His hair is curly at the sides and nape and wavy everywhere else. He crosses his arms like his father and even raises one eyebrow. He definitely is his father\u2019s child! He climbed a tree today and fell out of it and broke his arm. Doc Martin had to set it, and Young was so good and brave. Adam was so proud of his son.<\/em><\/p>\n From Libba\u2019s journal: Libba\u2019s maternal instincts are kicking in. Mindy, Lori and Delores all had their babies \u2013 all girls. Libba is fascinated with these tiny babies. She wants to visit all the time and is allowed to sit and hold each one. She continually asks me why babies\u2019 skins don\u2019t \u201cfit\u201d so that the babies aren\u2019t all wrinkled.<\/em><\/p>\n From Young\u2019s journal: At six years old, Young is riding a horse. Adam made sure to get one that wasn\u2019t too tall, and Young jumps out of bed every morning to spend some time riding with his father. He got thrown today and has a bad bump on his head, but he got right back on his horse (named \u201cFreckles\u201d) and continued riding anyway. He is fearless. He has also started doing some heavier chores around the house and in the barn. I think he will have the same physique as Adam \u2013 with a barrel chest and strong body. Praise from Adam makes him puff his little chest out proudly.<\/em><\/p>\n From Libba\u2019s journal: Libba has a baby doll that goes with her everywhere, but she lives in jeans. And she insists on going barefoot around the house like I do. I think she is showing signs of being quite outspoken, which she has inherited from me. She adores Young. When Young learned to ride a real horse, Libba insisted on doing the same thing. And she\u2019s very good \u2013 in a way, she\u2019s better than Young right now. She drew a picture today, not of a person or an animal, but of a house. And not a crude drawing but a very detailed one. Adam and I were impressed. Some days, she\u2019s a little girl who wears frilly dresses and tends to her dolls; other days, she\u2019s climbing trees or riding \u201cMoonbeam,\u201d screeching like a heathen. She has fallen off her horse twice today, stamped her foot, and got boosted back into the saddle. Like Young, she is fearless.<\/em><\/p>\n From Young\u2019s journal: For quite a while, Young has watched as foals and calves were born. He asks intelligent questions about the birth of animals. Adam and I give as much information as he asks for \u2013 no more, no less. Libba has watched the births but asks no questions yet. She seems to take it all in stride as a natural process.<\/em><\/p>\n From Libba\u2019s journal: Libba asked about the birth of babies today. Adam and I knew that this would be a subject of interest sooner or later, so we explained as best we could about how babies were born. Libba wanted to know if it hurt, and I had to tell her that it did. She made no comment. Apparently, her greatest fear had been that a baby arrived out of a belly button. I guess that\u2019s what some of her little friends told her. Young was unconcerned \u2013 he knew that only women had babies.<\/em><\/p>\n From Young\u2019s journal: Young wants to know about how babies are made. Another family conference. Libba looked horrified. Young has no desire to even kiss a girl, much less be intimate with one. We told him that his thoughts would change when he got older. Adam and I laughed later.<\/em><\/p>\n From Libba\u2019s journal: I guess Libba did some hard thinking about how the daddy plants the seed in the mommy and a baby starts to grow. Today, at the store, she was looking at packets of seeds and was inconsolable that there were none with pictures of babies on them. Young gave a big sigh and re-explained the whole process to her in the middle of a store full of people. It doesn\u2019t take long to clear a store of every human being, storekeeper included, when intimacy is discussed so openly. This was my fault. I should\u2019ve told both children that these matters were not to be discussed publicly.<\/em><\/p>\n From Young\u2019s journal: Young definitely has a green thumb. Everything he plants sprouts bigger and stronger than what Susan and I plant. I don\u2019t know his secret. He\u2019s going to be an excellent farmer as well as being an excellent rancher. He and Adam had a long talk about breeding horses to bring out the best qualities between sire and dam. Next year, Young will start school. He can already read and write and do fairly-complicated sums. He surprises me with his abilities. But, then, so does Adam.<\/em><\/p>\n From Libba\u2019s journal: Adam was sketching pictures of an improved line shack. Libba told him he had left out two important joists. Joists? Where did she learn that? But, she was right. Adam was amazed. And proud. He immediately made the proper corrections while Libba wandered into the kitchen to help me cook supper.<\/em><\/p>\n Adam climbed into bed and put his arm around Sam. He looked at the journals.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did the last five years go?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Sam answered.<\/p>\n Adam put his hand gently on Sam\u2019s tummy. \u201cShould we tell anybody?\u201d<\/p>\n Sam grinned. \u201cNot yet. Let\u2019s see which of our children notices first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if nobody notices?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen we\u2019ll tell when the time is right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe love you,\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cWe love you, too,\u201d Sam whispered back as she covered Adam\u2019s hand with hers.<\/p>\n END<\/p>\n
\nAdam’s Surprise Visitor<\/a><\/span>
\nAdam’s Angels
\n<\/a><\/span>Bringing up Babies<\/a><\/p>\n