This is my entry to the 2014 Camp in the Pines challenge. The inspiration came from a song by Steve Azar, Waitin’ on Joe.

Summary:  Joe is given the responsibility of meeting Adam at the freight office with a load of lumber. There’s a lot riding on Joe meeting the deadline, not just for the lumber, but for Joe also.

Rating K+ Word count 5,126

A link to the song can be found at the end

A big thanks to Cheaux and Jfclover for all their beta help.

                                                         Waiting on Joe

Eighteen-year-old Joe Cartwright softly closed the front door, hoping against hope the room behind him was empty. Not daring to look, he took a couple steps to the side and placed his hat on the rack; the presence of the other hats told Joe the rest of his family were all home and accounted for. He removed his gunbelt and after coiling it up, laid it alongside the others. A small sigh of relief whispered past his lips at the continued silence behind him.

Bong… Bong… Bong… Bong… Bong…

The clearing of a throat close on the heel of the twelfth and final chime, not only startled Joe, but caused every muscle in his body to tighten before his shoulders sagged in defeat.

Joe slowly turned around to face the music, no matter how off key it promised to be.

“Hi Pa.”

“Don’t you ‘hi’ me, Young Man.” Ben was already on his feet with his hands firmly planted on his hips. “Do you have any idea what time it is?”

Not sure how to answer Joe glanced over his shoulder.

“I meant before you walked in,” Ben roared when Joe lamely motioned towards the clock.

From the corner of his eye, he saw a shifting in the shadows at the top of the stairs and instinctively knew it wasn’t Hoss. “You may as well come down here instead of eavesdropping. Didn’t Pa teach ya better?”

“Joseph! Apparently I didn’t teach you any respect.” Ben turned his scowl on his oldest son. “Was there something you needed, Adam?”

“Uh, no Sir. I was just…”

“I know what you were ‘just’. Might I suggest you get back to bed while I speak with your brother?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Joe would have found the dressing down Adam just received amusing, except he knew what he was going to get would be far worse.

“Would you like to explain where you’ve been all day? For that matter why don’t you try explaining where you’ve been most of the time lately? You certainly have not been anywhere you’re supposed to be, or if you are, you’re never on time!”

“Nowhere really,” mumbled Joe.

“What was that? I didn’t hear you.”

“I said NOWHERE!”

“If I were you, Boy, I would be careful, very careful, of what you say next. You’re on very shaky ground.”

Unable to keep eye contact with his father, Joe dropped his gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry, Pa. It’s just, I feel like it doesn’t make any difference if I’m there or not to help. Any ideas I have are brushed aside, I’m never given anything worthwhile to do.” As he spoke, Joe wandered over to the fireplace. Contemplating the flickering flames, Joe reached behind himself and threaded his hands between his belt and pants. “To Adam and Hoss, I’m not even as good as any of the hands.”

“Maybe if you would drop that chip you’ve been carrying around on your shoulder and put some effort into your work, your brothers would see you in a different light.”

With nostrils flaring, eyes as brilliant as emeralds, Joe spun around to confront his father’s last words. “I HAVE! I have done everything they’ve asked. I’ve worked harder than anyone else out there. Done everything I’ve been ordered to do and then some, AND without complaining. They’ve both given me the worse jobs on the ranch and I did them. For what? Nothing changed, they still treat me like I’m a child that’s under foot. Tell me Pa, why should I even try anymore?” Swiping angrily at his eyes, Joe turned his back on his father. “So I don’t try. If you’re all going to think I’m worthless, why should I, why not just prove you’re all right about me?”

Ben was speechless, he had no idea his youngest son had been feeling this way, that this was the reason behind his behavior. Even though he couldn’t condone how Joe was handling the situation, he could understand. While he listened, Ben thought about the past few months. Joe was right, both Adam and Hoss had been giving him jobs that were meant for the greenest of the hands; jobs that Joe had outgrown before he had even left school at sixteen.

Joe took his father’s silence as confirmation that he felt the same way his brothers did, and the hurt sliced deeply into his heart. Straightening his shoulders, Joe turned towards the stairs. “I’m going to bed.”

“Joseph,” Ben called out stopping him at the first landing. “Come back down here, there’re a few things I want to discuss with you.”

With his head hanging low, Joe didn’t bother to turn around when he answered Ben. “Please, Pa. I don’t wanna fight with you. Just… Just let me go to bed.”

“I don’t want to fight either. If you’ll listen to me, I’m pretty sure we can avoid an argument.” Ben watched his son’s back, knowing the internal debate Joe was having. “Please, Son.” When Joe’s fist double tapped the banister and he turned and slowly descended the stairs, Ben knew he was starting to break through the wall Joe had been erecting. Now he only needed to find the right words to keep tearing it down and not inadvertently build it back up.

“Sit down.” Ben motioned to the settee, but his son stood firm, not moving from the base of the stairs. “Please Joseph.”

Grudgingly Joe walked over and took the seat his father had indicated.

Ben sighed as he observed his son’s body language. Joe’s posture was as stiff as a steel rod and his facial features appeared to be set in the granite he always claimed Adam’s head was made of. Ben took a seat on the table in front of Joe and watched as his son fixed his focus over Ben’s shoulder and stared into the fireplace. It was everything Ben could do to fight the urge to smile. Of all his sons, this boy was the most stubborn, but that was no surprise considering who his mother was… and yes, his father too. Joe would never give an inch over any perceived injustice whether against himself or someone else.

“Look at me, Son. This is important and I want to make sure you’re listening.”

Joe took a deep breath and expelled it in a petulant huff before looking his father in the eyes.

This time Ben did smile. “I have a proposition to make.” He waited for the inevitable questions, but they didn’t come as expected.

The only indication that his son had heard him was the raising of his eyebrows.

“Instead of Hoss, I’m going to send you up to the mill tomorrow to retrieve the lumber Adam needs and then meet him in town with the load. Do you think you can do that?”

Joe studied his father for a moment in disbelief. “Adam would never allow that. It’s an important contract and he’d never trust me with such an important job.”

“Well, I do.”

“But Adam already gave the job to Hoss.”

“Last time I checked I was still in charge around here, not Adam. Now do you think you can get the lumber to the freight station on time?”

“Yes Sir.” Joe wasn’t sure where his father was headed with this; wasn’t he listening when he told him he didn’t care anymore?

“Good. You do that—get everything to Adam on time, show me that I can rely on you to meet a deadline and I’ll put you in charge of filling that new contract we have with the army for new mounts. Do we have a deal?”

Joe just sat there; he didn’t dare believe what he thought his father had just said. No, this was just some kind of joke. Adam would never let anything like this happen.

“Joseph, do we have a deal?”

“That ain’t funny Pa.”

“What’s not funny?” Ben was confused, he had no idea what his son was referring to.

“You telling me I can be in charge of the horses. You’re just using that because you know it’s something I want—want real bad, to get me to do what you want, then take it away from me faster than Hoss can polish off an apple pie. You’ll just say I’m too young. You know, I expect something like this from Adam, but not from you.”

Joe started to stand, but Ben reached out and placed a hand on Joe’s knee to stop him.

“Pa, I’m tired. I wanna go to bed.” Refusing to look at his father for fear his eyes would show the depth of pain and betrayal he was now feeling, Joe tried to push the restraining hand away.

Ben had already seen the tears that suddenly filled his son’s eyes before he could turn away. He couldn’t believe that Joe’s feelings of alienation had reached such a level to where he couldn’t even trust his own father. What else have I missed?

“Son, I assure you, this is not a joke. You do what I ask tomorrow and the army contract is yours.”

“Yeah, with Adam calling all the shots. No thank you.”

“No, with you calling the shots. Neither Adam nor Hoss will be involved. You will report directly to me regarding your progress, just like your brothers do when they’re in charge of a job.”

“Adam won’t let it happen. I’m not smart enough to handle a job like that.”

“That’ll be enough of that kind of talk. As I said, I run this ranch. And as for you not being smart enough, you are just as smart as your brothers, if not more so when it comes to horses. I trust you, Son. I know you won’t let me down.” Ben reached out and took hold of Joe’s chin, gently turning it so he would have no choice but to meet his father’s eyes.  “I trust you. Do we have a deal?”

Joe searched his father’s eyes and all he could see was love and faith reflected back at him. “Yes Sir. And Pa—I promise I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t. Now off to bed, you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow.”

Nodding his head in response, Joe got up from the settee, but paused next to his father. Placing, a hand on Ben’s shoulder, he waited until his father looked up at him.

“I’m sorry Pa, I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” Ben covered Joe’s hand with his own and gave it a gentle squeeze. The physical contact did both of them a world of good, it confirmed the bond between them was there and as strong as ever.

“Night Pa.”

“Good night, Little Joe.”

Ben watched Joe climb the stairs and turn the corner. Standing, he stretched his back and looked up at the top landing once again. “Now I have to deal with Adam.”

~~~~

“There’s no way I‘m turning that contract over to him! You do that, Pa and it’s as good as gone.” Adam was outraged when he heard about the deal his father had made the night before.

“Calm down, Adam. We ain’t gotta worry none. Pa done said Little Joe has to get that lumber to you on time and we both know that won’t happen.” Hoss couldn’t figure out what his father was doing, but he knew he needed to calm his brother down before something was said that everyone would regret.

Ben sat at the head of the table, his hands folded together while he calmly listened to his oldest son’s tirade; that is until he glanced at Joe. The look of resignation and dejection was so prevalent that it tore at Ben’s heart and started to rouse his anger. Before he could say anything Joe slowly laid his napkin on his plate and rose from the table.

“I’m gonna saddle Cochise and get started on those waterholes.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Ben thundered. When Joe flinched, Ben consciously lowered his voice. “What you’re going to do is hitch up the wagon and head out to the mill. We made a deal last night. You up hold your end, and I will mine.”

“Pa, I gave that job to Hoss. I can depend—“

“Hold it right there. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m still in charge around here, and if I say Joseph is going for the lumber then that’s what’s going to happen. Get going Joseph before you’re late getting back.”

The smile Joe bestowed on his father was breathtaking, and so reminiscent of his mother. “Yes, Sir. I promise I won’t be late.”

Before another word could be said Joe was around the corner; the slamming door marked his departure. Ben shook his head in frustration. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard from his older sons.

“As for the two of you, I will not hear another word against your younger brother. Is that understood?”

“Yes Sir,” Hoss mumbled, his eyes fixed on the table.

Adam on the other hand just sat there, his hands clenched into fists on either side of his plate, glaring at his father.

“Adam.” It wasn’t a question, or a suggestion, the cold steely tone of Ben’s voice demanded an answer.

Teeth gritted together, Adam gave a jerk of his head, “Yes… Sir.”

“Good.”

“But if he’s late and we lose this contract, you have no one to blame but yourself Pa.”

“I have a feeling, a very good feeling, that Joseph may just surprise you. You’d be amazed what can happen if you recognize someone’s potential, their abilities and not saddle them with every dirty job on the ranch day in and day out. I’ll tell you what Adam. I’m so confident that Joseph will be there, and on time, I’ll bet you a month’s wages.”

“That’s a fool’s bet Pa, but I’ll take it. Who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?

“Another thing, so that we’re all clear on this, Little Joe will report to me and only me in regards to the army contract.”

“I’m not worried about that. He has to be on time today in order to get it.”

Ben changed his focus to his middle son. Though not as vocal as his older brother, Hoss was just as guilty in his treatment of Joe. “As for you Hoss, naturally there’s a change in chores for the day.”

Hoss gulped, knowing what was coming and not liking the idea one bit. “Pa?”

“Since Joe is delivering the lumber, that leaves those waterholes unattended. You, Son, are going out there and giving them a thorough cleaning. Once Adam’s done in town he’ll be joining you.”

“What’s Joe going to be doing? Provided he shows up,” questioned Adam.

“I’m going to meet you boys at the freight station, then Little Joe and I are going to pick up supplies and discuss his plans for the army contract over lunch at the International House.”

Standing from his chair, Adam turned to Hoss. “Come on, we have work to do.”

Before rounding the corner of the dining room, Adam paused and looked at his father. “I just hope you’re not disappointed when he fails to show up.”

“When he gets there, you will have an apology to make and some crow to eat.”

Adam shook his head and left the house, leaving a very confident Ben at the table. Joe had given his word, and Ben knew that come Hell or high water, the boy would keep it.

“You vely ‘light, Boss. Num’er three son will be there. He just need someone to believe in him.”

Ben glanced at their cook and longtime friend and smiled. If anyone knew Little Joe, it was Hop Sing.

“I go now, have vely special dinner to prepare for Mr. Adam.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“Crow.”

Ben’s booming laughter echoed throughout the house. He wouldn’t put it past Hop Sing to do just that.

 ~~~~

“There you go Joe, all set.”

“Thanks, Craig. By the looks of it, I’m ahead of schedule; it just might be me waiting on Older Brother this time.”

“Don’t you go rushin’ just to prove a point.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t. The last thing I need is a lecture about running these horses. Besides I don’t need to, I have plenty of time.”

Craig watched the wagon pull away from the camp and was about to turn away when he noticed that the back left wheel seemed a bit off. He started to call out but stopped when the wheel seemed fine after a second look. “It’s probably just the road. No call holdin’ the boy up and causin’ him to be late.”

~~~~

Joe rounded the last curve and was just starting down the final incline into town when wagon went over a large rut in the road. There was a loud screech as one of the wheels locked, it was followed by a loud snap and the whole conveyance shuddered. Before Joe could react, the heavy load helped pull the vehicle off balance; feeling the shifting of weight, the horses responded by picking up their speed resulting in the last needed push and the wagon went over on its side, propelling the driver off the seat and down the side of the mountain.

Caught unaware, Joe struggled for some kind of handhold, something, anything, to stop his mad flight down the steep embankment. Scrub trees tore at him as he went by, a jagged boulder grabbed at his right arm, tearing at the flesh and snapping the bone beneath. His momentum didn’t stop until he collided with twin pines growing midway down the slope; striking his head on the first tree he was rendered unconscious and oblivious to the pain that flared through his back when his body came into harsh contact with the tree’s mate.

The deadline wasn’t going to be met. Joe was not only going to be late, he wasn’t going to show up at all.

~~~~

Adam looked at his pocket watch again and sighed with irritation.  “I told Pa we couldn’t count on Joe. Told him I needed Hoss for this job. But did he listen to me? Hell no! ‘No Adam, Joe’ll be there. I’ll bet you a month’s wages.’” Adam kicked at a clod of dirt as he paced in front of the freight office. He could see the outgoing wagon was almost loaded—minus Cartwright lumber—and ready to go.

“Told him it was a fool’s bet. Too bad it’s going to take defaulting on this contract to make Pa see how irresponsible that boy is.”

Adam saw the driver climb up onto the wagon seat and his anger increased ten-fold. “Bernie, can’t you wait just a bit longer? Joe should be here any minute now.”

“No can do, Adam. I’ve delayed as long as I could.” With a snap of the reigns and a “Gid up” the massive wagon rumbled away leaving the oldest Cartwright brother standing with hands clenched into fists and face beet red with anger.

“When I get my hands on him I’ll teach him a thing or two about being on time. He’ll be lucky if he can walk when I’m through with him!”

“Adam! ADAM!” A man rounded the corner at a dead run, barely stopping when he reached the object of his search.

Adam turned as soon as he heard the first bellow. His heart dropped to the pit of his stomach the second he saw Bob. He didn’t need to be told what was wrong. He prayed he was wrong, but deep in his gut he knew it was Joe.

“How bad?”

“He’s bad Adam, real bad. They’re taking him to Doc’s. Roy sent Clem for your Pa.”

Without another word, Adam tore off for Dr. Martin’s office. Blind with panic, he didn’t even think about taking Sport who was tethered at the side of the freight station.

Please God, he has to be all right. Please.

~~~~

The door slammed against the wall when Ben came storming through the entry of the waiting room. His eyes immediately fell upon his oldest son.

“Adam?”

“I don’t know Pa. He was already with Dr. Martin when I got here.”

“What happened? All Clem said was that there was an accident.”

“Roy told me that the O’Hern boys found him on the outskirts of town. Said it looked like one of the wheels snapped and the wagon went over.”

While Adam told what he knew, the color drained out of Ben’s face as he pictured the road outside of town and the steep drops.

“He was late Pa. He was late and I thought the worse. All I knew was that once again I was waiting on Joe. Once again he failed to do as he was told, and this time there was going to be huge consequences because of his irresponsibility. Not once did I think there could have been an accident or any other reason for him to be late. I just automatically thought the worst of him.” Adam dropped his face into his hands, shaking his head. “What kind of brother am I? If it were Hoss I would have been out looking for him, but instead I was making threats of bodily injury. I was promising myself a piece of his hide while he was lying at the bottom of a ravine, hurt and needing me.”

Ben sat next to his son. He reached over placed a hand on his shoulder. “Adam—“

Pushing away the offer of comfort, Adam stood and threw his hat into the chair he had just vacated and crossed the room in long, angry strides. This time his anger was directed inward.

“No Pa. Don’t say it. Don’t tell me it’s okay, because it’s not okay. You were right. I was being unfair. I was treating Joe as if he were eight instead of eighteen. The worst part is that it took this…” Adam swept his arm out in a dramatic gesture towards the door that led to Dr. Martin’s surgery. “Took this to make me realize what I was doing. I can’t even imagine how much he must hate me.”

Standing, Ben slowly approached his son and once again placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Hate you? No Son. Hurt, frustrated, disillusioned, disgruntled, yes. Hate, never. Little Joe looks up to you… both of you.” Ben looked over at the door to include Hoss, who had just entered the room and stood with his hand gripping the door knob. “He wants nothing more than for the two of you to see him as a valuable member of the family. He’s hurt that you don’t. He’s frustrated that his efforts are never seen or appreciated. He’s disillusioned that he can’t seem to earn any type of respect. He’s disgruntled that all he gets are the dirty jobs. But hate you? That boy has never said one word about hating you. On the contrary he thinks you hate him.”

“That’s just foolish,” Hoss protested.

“Is it Hoss? Think about what you yourself said about him just this morning.”

Hoss’ shoulder sagged with shame and he looked away, unable to hold his father’s gaze. “It ain’t true Pa. I love that boy.”

“I know you do, but Joe doesn’t; not anymore.”

“That’s something I plan on fixing the moment he’s awake,” declared Adam.

“Me too,” add Hoss.

Ben nodded his head and turned back to the chair, sat down and bowed his head in prayer.

~~~~

Ben’s head jerked up and he was immediately on his feet when he heard the door to the surgery open and close. It had been hours since he had arrived, and even longer since Clem had found him on the road into town.

“Paul?”

Dr. Paul Martin rubbed the back of his neck. His whole body ached from the amount of time he had spent trying to put the broken boy back together, and yet he didn’t know if it had been enough.

“Sit down Ben.” Paul motioned to the chair and when Ben sat back down he took the chair next to his longtime friend. “I’m not going to lie to you, nor am I going to sugar coat it. He’s in bad shape; how he’s even alive right now is anyone’s guess. As expected he has a lot of bruises and cuts from his trip down the side of the mountain. His right arm is broken and is pretty torn up, he also has some broken ribs. Those are all minor things and they’ll heal.” When Ben started to interrupt Paul held up his hand to stop him. “Let me finish. From what I was told, he was found unconscious at the base of two trees. He took quite a blow to the back of his head. I have no idea of what kind of damage there is. Then there’s his back. It’s just one massive bruise. I don’t think it’s broken, but then again from the amount of swelling there is, it’s hard to tell. I won’t know until he wakes up… If he wakes up.”

The silence that descended the room was deafening. Each man was lost in his own thoughts.

“He’ll wake up, and he’s going to be fine,” Adam said with confidence. “I have an apology to make and some crow to eat. That boy will not miss an opportunity to see that happen.”

“Adam’s right Pa. Besides, Little Joe is too ornery to give up.”

“The boys are right, Paul. Joseph will wake up and he’ll be just fine. Now, I want to see my son.”

Paul lowered his head, conceding the point to Ben. If sheer will and persistence was all it would take to heal Joe, then it was in the room in spades and the boy would come through in flying colors. “Of course, Ben.”

~~~~

Two days crept by without any visible change in the young man who lay motionless in a small room in Dr. Martin’s office. Paul had flat out refused to allow Ben to move Joe back to the Ponderosa. He wanted to be close in case Joe took a turn for the worse; and to keep watch over the rest of the family to make sure they ate and rested. On this particular night Adam was alone with his youngest brother.

Standing at the window, Adam gazed out at the empty street that was barely visible in the glow from the moon high in the night sky. Guilt, overwhelming, all-consuming guilt tore at Adam, chewing away at his soul until he thought he would perish from it. Turning, he started back towards the bedside chair but froze in his tracks. Something was different. Joe’s eyes were closed, the dark, lush lashes resting against skin that was too pale. His breathing was still slow and shallow while he lay on his back, the blankets pulled up to his shoulders. At first glance it would appear everything was just as it was after Dr. Martin had made his last exam hours ago. Yet Adam’s sharp eyes were registering a minute change. Sitting in the chair he reached over and took hold of Joe’s hand, and it hit him. Joe’s hand! Before it was tucked firmly under the blanket not visible, not easily accessible as it now was.

“Joe?” Adam waited for a response, but there was nothing, not even a change in his breathing. “Come on Joe, talk to me. At least open your eyes.”

Nothing.

Closing his eyes, Adam bowed his head as the hope that had briefly flared inside him died a sudden death. “Please, Joe, please talk to me. You need to wake up. Pa needs you, Hoss needs you… Hell, I need you Kid.” Adam’s voice trembled with the emotions that welled deep inside him. Looking up, he studied his brother’s face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t have faith in you, didn’t trust you. I should have… I did, I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. You’re becoming a man and given the chance, and confidence, you not only keep up with Hoss and me, but you surpass us at times. I don’t want to admit my baby brother is growing up, that he doesn’t need me anymore.  To be honest with you I want to turn the clock back thirteen years. To a time when I could do no wrong in your eyes, when you believed I could solve all the problems of the world for you. A time when I had a purpose in your life; when you needed me.” Adam’s voice broke and he dropped his head as tears threatened to fall.

“I’ll… always need… you.” The sound couldn’t even be described as a whisper, just a breathy, flutter of air that drifted up from the bed.

At any other time it wouldn’t have been heard, but Adam, who desperately wanted to hear something, anything, from the young man, his beloved brother, heard it.

“Little Joe?” He waited, but there wasn’t even a flutter of lashes in response. “Come on, Little Brother, it’s time to wake up.”

“No it ain’t—still dark out.”

“How can you know that when your eyes are closed?”

“Cuz.”

“Why don’t you open them anyhow and make sure.”

Joe’s eyes fluttered slightly but still didn’t open.

“Would you hurry it up, I don’t have all day.”

“Bossy,” Joe grumbled, but was able to force his eyes open. He took a deep breath and winced as pain lanced through his body.  “All night.”

“What?”

Joe closed his eyes but opened them again after a few seconds. “You have all… night. Not all day.”

Adam started to reach over to ruffle Joe’s unruly mop of hair, but checked the motion in time to stop from causing his brother any further pain. “Still cheeky as usual.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t make it like I promised.”

“No Joe. It’s not your fault. You would have made it. There’s no way you could have seen or prevented the accident.”

“Still…”

“If anyone needs to apologize it’s me for how I’ve treated you.”

“No. We’re brothers. No need to.”

“Would you be quiet for once and let me apologize. After all, how often do you get to see me eat crow?”

“Thanks, Adam,” Joe responded, smiling up at his brother.

Unbeknownst to the two brothers, there were three sets of eyes observing them. When Paul Martin saw another grimace appear on Joe’s face, he patted Ben’s shoulder and stepped around him. “Never underestimate the power of the Cartwrights.”

Here’s link to the Video:  Waitin’ on Joe

written / performed by:  Steve Azar
intro by: Morgan Freeman

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Camp in the Pines, ESJ, Family, Hoss Cartwright, JAM, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright, JPM, SJS