Summary: The brothers share a bittersweet day. Written for the July 15 Pinecone Challenge and (very slightly) expanded for inclusion here. Prompt/lyrics: God only knows what I’d be without you. (Brian Wilson, Tony Asher)
Rating: K WC: 576
Without You
The late February skies had been gray over the past weeks and they had expected more of the same, but that morning dawned sharp and clear, the sun rising in a blaze of winter glory over the Ponderosa. Joe uttered a teary cackle at the brightness and slugged Jamie’s shoulder as they exited the big house for the funeral.
“Guess we know what Pa thought of all them clouds, huh?”
Guess so.
Now the ceremony was over, and all the many friends and neighbors and wives and children had returned to the main yard to put on last minute touches and set out the funeral meal. The three brothers alone remained around the fresh-hewn headstone beneath that winter brilliance—four brothers, really, for Hoss was there as surely as the others, his own weathered stone a bulwark at their father’s side in death as the man himself had been in life. Jamie suspected that Joe and Adam must be thinking something similar, for his brothers had been touching Hoss’s stone every time they passed it—brief, quick pats and rubs of which he suspected they weren’t even aware.
Yes, it was only right that they were all together here, on this of all days.
They shared a few memories as they framed Ben Cartwright’s grave, one at each compass point—a few laughs, a few tears, a few rolled eyes and shrugs, all seasoned with a healthy dose of respect and love for this man who had been rock and guide to each of them. The air was thick not so much with grief but with the weary acceptance of a long life well-lived, a life which had been at last brought to its logical conclusion. Their pa had been ready, there at the end, to join his loved ones who had gone before. How could they wish otherwise for him?
“We should go.”
It was Adam, of course—not that he was ready to leave this spot any more than Joe or Jamie, but he would be the first to think of the crowd awaiting them at home. They could have lost hours, the three of them, coats draped across the nearby grass and shirtsleeves rolled to their elbows despite the crisp February breeze that ruffled hair and reddened cheeks. Time stood still there for the sons of Ben Cartwright, and without that gentle reminder they might have stayed until the sun dipped down behind the western horizon and never even noticed the day’s passing.
“Yeah.” Joe dragged a sigh from his depths. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Green eyes surveyed his father’s grave, then turned on them both. “Anybody want to say anything else before we go?”
It had been there for hours—for days now—swirling just beneath the surface, and he knew suddenly it was time. Ben Cartwright had been the turning point in his life. Without the man’s generosity, without his love, without his steady influence during that time of great upheaval in a young boy’s life … No. He didn’t want to think of it. Jamie stepped forward and laid a calloused hand on the chill stone. “Pa … God only knows what I’d be without you.”
A sharp indrawn breath, and then suddenly Joe was there at his right, warm heavy arm wrapping around his shoulders. “God only knows what any of us would have been.”
Adam was there too, encircling them both from Jamie’s left. “Amen.”
Amen indeed.
Tags: Adam Cartwright, brothers, Family, Jamie Hunter Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright, Memories
Amazing how such a short piece can stir up so many emotions! Ben was a great father and there’s no doubt he helped shape all his sons lives.
Ben is such a wonderful character, a loving father who is such a rock full of wisdom and fine counsel. This is a fitting tribute to him. Thank you for having all his sons there. Thank you for this lovely story. It brought tears to my eyes. Now I have to read a story with him dispensing loving words to his sons since his presence is timeless. I need to find a prequel to offset the sadness I feel. Maybe I will find one with the lovable scamp, Joe. Thank you!
That was a beautiful tribute to Ben Cartwright. You did a great job keeping them all in character while allowing them to mourn. I love that you brought Adam back for Ben’s funeral.
Thank you for your comments – I’m so glad you enjoyed! 🙂
What a beautiful tribute to Pa from his sons. Thanks
This is beautiful and poignant. What a touching tribute!
So beautiful, and Jamie was the perfect person to make that statement first, though as you point out, it was equally true for his other sons and, frankly, for all of us as viewers and readers. Tears came to my eyes as I read this short jewel of a story.
Thanks so much. I’m so glad you liked this — it felt very right as I was writing it, and it’s good to know that others feel the same. Thx for your lovely comments!
This was beautifully done and a fitting tribute to a wonderful man. Jamie’s words were heartfelt and true. I’m so glad you brought Adam home for all of them.
Falling behind on my replies! 😳
Thx so much for your comments, I appreciate them. I’m glad you liked this little piece — and yes, I always believe that Adam came home. 😊
This is a perfect tribute. He filled their lives with wisdom, love and devotion and taught them how to be good men in their right. And the strength of family and how to draw on that together. They can go on knowing he is there within each of them in great abundance. There was no need for lengthy mournful words. They could celebrate him perfectly with just a few.
Thx so much — I’m happy you liked the boys’ tribute … I appreciate your comments.
I could read this a dozen times and still appreciate how well you handled this sensitive subject and kept the family in character in a loving reminder of the patriarch of the Ponderosa who helped make them the men they were.
Thank you! I’m glad you thought it worked so well, thx for your comments!
“A life well-lived…brought to its last logical conclusion.” Nature will have its way, and we are here for only a season. Ben Cartwright made the most of his season, with sons as his legacy. What a fitting tribute to the man who helped mold and shape them. Any father would be proud. I read this in the forum and saw that you used your own grandfather’s passing as a reference for this piece. He would no doubt be proud too. 🙂
Thank you for your lovely comments. This one did feel a bit special to me, short as it was, and I’m glad it seemed right to you …
Great way to pay tribute to Ben! Wonderful use of the prompt! Well done!
Thanks so much! I’m happy you like it …
Definitly, amen. The fictional character was a moral compass for a whole generation.
I’m glad you liked — thx for your comments.
Gentle, beautiful, loving reminder of the man and father that Ben Cartwright was and who the sons were because of him. Well done.
Thank you — it seems like something his sons would say of him …