Written for the 2016 Ponderosa Paddlewheel Poker Tournament.

Summary:  a missing scene from “Forever”

Rated:  K+     Word count:  971

 

                                                                            The Funeral

A few wide clouds crossed the blue sky on this early afternoon. A light breeze carried the birds’ chirping over the glade. Large pines towered majestic along the clearing. In its center a small group of men stood together, heads bowed.

It should have been raining. Weather should have been the worst at that hour. Maybe it would have helped to stand the pain. There was no reason for the sun to shine at all.

The funeral was arranged nearby the place where Joe had built the house for his family. A family that didn’t exist any more. Stolen from life by a tragic fire.

Only in the smallest circle the service was held. The bereaved wouldn’t have been able to handle a big ceremony.  While the pastor was talking about to find comfort in the knowledge that the loved ones were in God’s kingdom now, it was obvious that none of the mourners were able to do so. Least of all Joe Cartwright.

After he had said his words, the pastor left and Ben, Jamie and Candy followed slowly some moments later. None of them spoke while they walked down the meadow. As they reached the horses and climbed into the saddles Ben turned around and watched his son still standing beside the gravestone. Joe’s shoulders moved up and down indicating the man’s heavy breathing in a desperate fight to retain his composure. Even though staring at the monument, the picture of the stony cross didn’t reach Joe’s consciousness. The father sensed his son’s blank mind.

Like some time ago beside another gravestone at another spot on the Ponderosa, Joe remained paralyzed by the life’s turn, shocked by the event that had happened.

After the loss of Hoss it had taken months for Joe to find his way back into life. For weeks, he’d not been capable of carrying out any ranch work. He tried but broke down repeatedly. Those days he had be able to turn toward his father to overcome his grief and had accepted Ben’s help because their relationship to the lost family member was nearly the same. This time, Ben could feel Joe was further out of reach for him.

As the father watched his son, he fought the rising fear of losing Joe because of his sorrow. The pain consumed his boy and he as a father was excluded like never before. Ben had lost his middle child recently and was separated by miles from his first-born. The rancher knew he wouldn’t stand remaining on the Ponderosa without his youngest. If only Joe could … What? Forget her? Get over it?

How was it with Bens’ grief after the loss of his wives? He’d run. All three times. He’d strapped his belongings to a burro’s back and run away from the places and people that reminded him of the loved ones he had lost.

Joe was different. He didn’t have the sense to run or turn his back on challenges. He always faced trouble, often he actually was looking for it. Every now and then Joe’s emotions had to fly high. Afterwards he mostly threw himself into work.

When Adam left, Joe immediately took over a lot of the responsibility the Ponderosa demanded. Everyone had noticed how fast Joe had grown up and improved in his sense of accountability during that year. Joe wasn’t a runaway. Joe was straight forward. Maybe that was the reason he also had to savor his grief the fullest.

Due to Hoss’ death both remaining family members had been worn out. With the death of Alice who was so close to Joe and also the death of the unborn child, Joe had aged incredibly during the last few hours. It was as if they’d shot an already badly hurt animal without killing it off. The pride in Joe’s posture was gone. His shoulders were hanging, the glint in his eyes had disappeared and his sight was lost somewhere in the distance.

As Joe was finally moving by the tomb, Ben was relieved and expected his son to join them. But Joe didn’t make his way toward his waiting father. Instead, he slowly slid to the ground and sat down beside the gravestone. Legs pulled to his chest, he laid his arms on top of his knees and dropped his head. It didn’t seem the man was willing to leave that place in the foreseeable future.

Ben started to descend from his horse but was stopped by Candy’s objection.

“Sir, I think we better leave him alone for a moment,” the foreman said.

As Ben ignored the words, Candy grabbed the father’s arm.

“Give him time. He’s sitting in a boat and lingering in an ocean of sorrow that’s so much larger than the one he was in after Hoss’ death. You won’t be able to reach him as long as he doesn’t set the sail himself and decide which way to go.”

Candy recognized the fear rising in Ben’s eyes. He knew how close that family had been and how shattering it must feel for the father to see it crumble.

“He’s your son, Mr. Cartwright. He’ll come back to you. Maybe it will take time but his home is and will always be the Ponderosa, even more when he sees that you don’t cling to him in desperation. Give him time.”

Ben’s eyes watered and he bit his lips. He couldn’t watch his son suffer like this but Candy was right. If he stuck to Joe, his youngest would probably withdraw even further away. He had to be patient and sensible for the moment until Joe was ready to share the burden.

 

The End

 

Words drawn:  burro, ocean, boat, funeral, (Joker)