by Mars
Disclaimer: The characters and
situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic
Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are
copyrighted to the author.
Audra came down the large stairs leading to the foyer. Now
that her brothers Nick and Heath were back from a long day of work, she thought
it to be a good time to talk them into scheduling a few dances with her friends
at the next social the next day.
Both of them were in the family room. Sounds of glass
assured her that they were having a drink before dinner. In the room, Nick was
standing by the large fireplace, while Heath was busy removing his boots. A
long day's work, it had been, and both were tired. The whole week had been a
very busy one. They were talking, probably about the next day's work.
Audra stopped short in her tracks, unseen of her brothers,
as she heard Heath.
"I reckon mine is longer," he said, obviously
nagging Nick.
"Is that a fact?!" boomed Nick, although, from
the sound of it, he seemed in a playful mood.
Audra hesitated. Should she make her presence known, or
wait to see if she'd better get back to her room? Sounds of boots meeting the
floor, then Heath's voice.
"Facts talk for themselves," was Heath's short
matter-of-factly answer.
Nick footsteps got nearer, then returned to the middle of
the room. He probably stared down at his brother by then.
"Facts? What facts?" he asked. "All you got
so far, boy, is a frail lost one with barely enough skin to cover her
bones!"
Audra flushed a little bit. This was a man's talk she
didn't really wanted to hear. But still, curiosity got the best of her, so she
stood where she was, always unseen of her brothers.
"At least I got one," retorted Heath.
"Which you can't say."
"I'll tell you this only once, boy. I can have any of
them whenever I want. All I have to do is..."
"Wish for a longer one," cut in Heath, laughing.
"Now, Heath, stop that. You know as well as I do,
that length has nothing to do with it! All is in the way you use it," Nick
replied.
There was a pause in the conversation, Audra turned and
was ready to leave, when she heard.
"Longer and bigger, Nick. That's the only way. No
matter the technique of it, if it can't take the pressure and lets you down,
you won't get them," Heath remarked.
"Alright. Let's have a bet. I'll get at least 3 in an
hour," nagged Nick.
"Three? Why Nick, aren't you wishing! The way you're
equipped, if you get only one I'll be amazed!"
Audra gasped, and headed for the stairs. That's when
Victoria came in.
"Audra? What's wrong? Are you running a fever?"
Mother asked.
Audra shook her heard, "No... I'm just... er.... I'll
rest a few before dinner."
Victoria frowned, "Alright. I'll join your
brothers," she announced.
Audra coughed. "Mother? I...." How could she
tell her Mother, that now wasn't a good time to get in there?
"Yes, Audra?"
"Oh... nothing. I'll see you at dinner."
Victoria nodded, then went in the family room. Audra
stayed where she was, still curious at how her brothers would change the conversation
upon Mother's arrival in the room.
After the usual greetings and hugging, the conversation
resumed.
"We were talking about tomorrow," Nick said.
"Yes, about your plans for tomorrow. Are you both
arguing still about it?" Victoria asked.
"No arguing here, Mother," Heath explained.
"I got the longer and bigger, so I got better chances."
Audra sat on the steps of the stairs, looking for air.
"Who said?" Nick asked, clearly daring his
brother.
"Nick, Heath is right. He got the bigger one," Victoria
cut in.
"Mother, because you have some experience in the
matter, doesn't make you the best judge of who has the best one," Nick
rather sighed.
There was a pause, and then Heath laughed.
"I reckon even Mother agrees with me. My, she had a
peak at both of ours, after all."
By now, Audra rushed to her room. There was NO way in the
world she would suggest pairing any of her brothers to her friends. These guys
were..... just guys! Loosing all illusions about her brothers, Audra sat on her
bed, waiting (dreading?) dinner.
*********
When Audra finally decided to join the family for dinner,
Audra went to the stairs. Downstairs, Nick and Heath were walking with Jarrod
to the dinning room, chatting. By the look of it, they were having a lot of
fun.
*Probably comparing length again!* she thought.
She finally made her way to the dinning room. They were
all seated already, and Mother was laughing with her sons.
"I'm sorry to tell you, Jarrod," she was
explaining, "But if you had inherited your father's, you'd had the best
chances with them. Since Nick inherited it from your father, I have to bet on
his ability to use it. And I know, first hand, that it is quite
efficient."
Audra walked to her chair, and sat down, blushing.
"I can't but agree with you, dear Mother,"
replied Jarrod, smiling, "But what about Heath? I heard you say he had a
better one."
"And experience with it," added Heath, grinning
at Nick.
"Let's see that now, boy!" retorted Nick, as he
stood.
Audra jumped off her chair, red as a bet.
"Oh NO, you won't!!! There so much that decency
allows!" she yelled, determined to put a stop to this dirty talk.
They all stared at her, wondering what's gotten her.
With an understanding look at her sons, Victoria nodded.
"I didn't know that you were so sensible to fish and fishing. I suggest we
change the conversation," she suggested.