Summary:  A story of a friendship that ran deeper than blood.  Submitted in response to a 2016 Pinecone Challenge.

Rating:  K  (537 words)

One for the Ages

“This is a true story about friendship that runs deeper than blood,” Joe said quietly.  “If Hoss were not my brother, we’d be the best of friends.  I know that had we different lives, I would somehow have found him.  My opposite, the south to my north; the up to my down; the right to my left.  A friend who followed me into trouble, including raising rabbits.  You know, Hoss insisted that I was not going to slaughter those Gerbies. He put me in a rabbit cage and would not let me out.”

“Had I not been at the ranch, Joe would probably still be folded up inside that cage,” Ben said laughing.  “And don’t forget about Old Sheba.”

“That elephant.  I couldn’t forget that.  Hoss let the old rancher thump both of us that day.  Of course, he could have crushed him with one blow. Hoss decided that day we’d take our licking.”

“Who could forget the elephant. The Ponderosa Pachyderm,” Adam smiled.

“Yeah, Adam.  Remember, Pa even rode the thing to town.  Hoss and I got into a world of trouble together.  A friend who followed me into situations to make sure I didn’t get hurt and took care of me if I did. He fought for me, when I couldn’t, counseled me when I was troubled.”

“Hoss helped you rob a bank and do some detective work.  I remember coming home and finding wanted posters of my two sons and the sad way you and Hoss tried to talk your way out of those two situations,” Pa said shaking his head.  “I can’t forget how Hoss sat on me in the alley behind the bank and said, I’ll break it, I’ll break it, while he twisted my leg into a knot. Detectives, huh?”

“Sorry about that one, Pa.  But we did save the town’s money from some crooks,” Joe added.  “Hoss could eat some pancakes, too.”

“If he had stayed at the table he would have won. Joe literally starved Hoss for days, made him do all the chores, and exercise for hours so that he’d be hungry for the competition. “And this one,” Ben said pointing a thumb at Joe, “tied pots and pans across the stairs so that it would wake him if Hoss headed for the kitchen at night.”

“It worked.  It just woke the whole house and Pa nearly blew the windows out bellowing at us.  Hoss was a great sport, a good man and I was blessed to have him as my brother and my best friend.  Rest in peace, Hoss.  I will love you and miss you forever,” Joe said as silent tears slipped slowly down his face.  “So much deeper than blood.  So much more than my brother.  He was part of my soul and I will never be the same without him.”

Pa and Adam stood and comforted Joe as he grieved the loss of his best friend and brother, who now belonged to the ages.

~The End

Author’s Note:  I claim artistic license that Adam returned to the Ponderosa after Hoss’ death.

Tags:  Family, Grief