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. No infringement is intended in any part by the author, however, the ideas expressed within this story are copyrighted to the author.  No original storylines and characters can be used in part on in their entirety without expressed consent from the author concerned.

 

 

A 30 Minute Roundup

The Voice of Experience by Nicolegesq

 

 

“Sshh.  Not so loud.”

 

“I’m not the one being loud.”

 

Jarrod rolled over, glancing at his brothers through one half open eye.  “Both of you are being louder than you need to be.”  Jarrod let his tongue reach around to wet his parched lips, realizing his entire mouth felt dry, his tongue feeling like it was wrapped in cotton.

 

Nick groaned loudly.  “Who’s idea was it to get that last bottle?”

 

“Best as I recall, it was yours,” Heath answered, shifting onto his back, stopping his movement when he felt his stomach doing flip flops.  “I’m so glad you decided to teach the boys a lesson about drinking and carousing.”

 

Nick grimaced at the sarcasm ringing in Heath’s comment.  “Well, it would have been a good idea but I’m guessing they’ve been doing some drinking on their own based on the amount of liquor they were putting away.”

 

Jarrod pushed himself into a sitting position, letting his head drop into his hands.  “I, for one, am too old for this.  I’m beginning to think we should have all started our families earlier.”

 

The brothers shared bleary eyed glances as they all began to stir from their respective spots in the study of the great house.  “Where are the boys after all?” Heath asked.  “Anybody know?”

 

Across the yard, in the bunkhouse that was normally empty this time of year, the younger generation of Barkley men were just beginning to rouse.  “Tom, the next time you say, ‘Don’t worry, they’ll never be able to keep up with us,’ remind me to let you have it.”