Summary:  Ben has a difficult decision to make regarding a young Adam’s future

Rated: K+ (9,665 words)

 

Following the Dream

Ben Cartwright smiled at the small dark-haired child sitting beside him on the step. ‘Be careful,’ he said. ‘It’s very hot.’

 

 

 

‘It’s good soup Pa,’ said Adam, returning his father’s smile with a grin of his own. ‘You’re good at cooking soup, ain’t you?’

 

 

 

Ben chuckled as he took a sip from his own tin mug. ‘I’m getting better son,’ he said. ‘Lottie’s advice about which herbs to use sure helped.’

 

 

 

‘Well I like it,’ said Adam happily.  He took another sip of his soup and studied the yard in front of him. ‘I reckon it’s a good day fer soup, don’t you Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben smiled as he glanced over at the leaves that were swirling around the small yard, whipped up by the wind that had become so persistent of late.  Winter was going to be here before they knew it, he thought.  Where had the time gone? ‘It sure is son,’ he said. ‘It’s chilly out here.’  He reached over and straightened up the little boy’s jacket and patted him on the knee.  We’ll be able to light a fire in the fireplace soon.’

 

 

 

‘Good,’ said Adam, in the matter of fact way that he had of speaking. ‘I like fires.’

 

 

 

Ben smiled to himself.  Even though his son was only four years old, there were many times that he had to remind himself of that fact.  He’d become so accustomed to talking to him on an adult level that it was often hard to remember that he was a child. All this time when they’d only had each other to talk to had influenced the child and he was like a miniature adult in his speech and his gestures.  It was something that the townsfolk here found quite amusing and Ben knew that Adam was more popular amongst them because of it.

 

 

 

When they’d first come to the small town of Elwood Ben hadn’t really known how to take the folks here.  He supposed it was because he’d been on the road for so long and forgotten how it was with folks to talk to on a permanent basis. He really hadn’t intended to stay more than the time it took to earn a few dollars … just enough to get them past the next few towns really and into Illinios … but the longer he’d stayed here the more he’d come to like it and the closer he’d become to the folks around these parts.  Ben looked across the yard towards the small cluster of buildings that constituted the main township. Yes, there were times when he could almost have seen himself and Adam staying here. Ben shook his head firmly. ‘No!’ he said out loud.

 

 

 

Adam looked up at his father over the top of his mug of soup. ‘No what Pa?’ he asked, his hazel eyes widening at the sound of his father’s voice.

 

 

 

Ben patted his little boy on the shoulder. ‘Nothing son,’ he said. ‘I was just thinking out loud. Drink your soup up.’

 

 

 

Adam nodded and focussed his attention back on the tin mug in his hand while his father gazed into the distance and allowed his thoughts to wander back to another time and another place.

 

 

 

Had it really only been a mere five years since he and Elizabeth had been married?  It felt like a lifetime ago. Granted they had known each other for some years before they’d taken the official step of marriage, but still … in Ben’s heart he was still in many ways that awkward young seaman desperate to please the beautiful daughter of his captain and Elizabeth was … his eyes misted over as his mind came back to the present. Elizabeth was dead … he told himself flatly. Dead. Thank God he had his memories and his son as constant reminders of her though.

 

 

 

Five years ago … a lifetime ago … so much had happened in that time. So much to be thankful for …. Yet.  Ben’s heart lurched with the familiar ache that he’d become so accustomed to over the past five years.  If only Elizabeth were here now.  If only she had lived to see their son grow into the beautiful little boy he’d become. If only …

 

 

 

‘Pa?’

 

 

 

‘Yes son?’  Ben turned to see that Adam had stood up beside him, his empty soup mug on the ground beside him. His eyes looking at his father were full of concern.

 

 

 

‘Are you OK Pa?  You look kinda sad.’

 

 

 

Ben smiled at the sight of Elizabeth’s hazel eyes so close to his own and he reached out, pulling his little boy closer to him. ‘I’m fine,’ he said. ‘Now how about we go and see if Lottie is back from her shopping, eh?’

 

 

 

Adam giggled as his father began to tickle him and swung him over his shoulder as he stood up.  Ben’s heart rose at the sound of the child’s laughter … a sound that he heard too infrequently for his liking.  Adam had always been a serious little boy and Ben really didn’t know if it was just his nature or the fact that he hadn’t had many reasons so far to be light hearted in his short lifetime.

 

 

 

Whatever the reason, he was always glad to hear the carefree giggle of his little boy and he vowed that the child would have many reasons to laugh in the future.  He’d promised Elizabeth that he’d take care of their child to the best of his ability and he aimed to bring up his son to be a man that they both would be proud of. ‘Come on,’ he said, tossing Adam into the air and then catching him again in his strong arms. ‘Let’s see if we can find Lottie.’

 

 

 

 

 

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Lottie Perkins rolled the pastry over and over again until it was as flat as a pancake, then picked it up and placed it carefully into the tin pan.  As she picked up her knife and began to cut around the edges to even it up, she smiled at the sound of the back screen door opening. ‘Well hello,’ she said without looking up. ‘You two Cartwrights certainly took your time.’

 

 

 

‘How’d ya know it was us Aunt Lottie?’ asked Adam, climbing up on a chair next to the woman and giving her an intense look.

 

 

 

Lottie smiled at the child. ‘And why wouldn’t it be?’ she said teasingly. ‘I could tell by the sound of your footsteps.  Your father’s long stride and your small ones.’

 

 

 

‘Oh.’  Adam looked thoughtful for a moment as if storing her words away for future consideration. He was always doing that, thought the woman.  The child had an old head on that little body for sure.

 

 

 

Lottie smiled at Ben. ‘I take it you’ll both be staying for supper?’ she said.

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘We just came to say hello,’ he said. ‘We’re not stopping for supper.’

 

 

 

‘We had soup for our supper,’ Adam informed her. ‘Pa made it.’

 

 

 

‘Soup?’ said the woman, putting her hands on her hips and pretending to be amazed. ‘And what kind of meal is that for a growing child Ben Cartwright? Soup indeed!’

 

 

 

‘It was good soup,’ said Adam, putting his finger into the mixing bowl and bringing it out again with a glob of spicy apple mixture on it. He put it into his mouth and sucked on it happily, ignoring his father’s frown.

 

 

 

‘Soup is all very well for a first course,’ said Lottie. ‘But you’ll both be putting more into your stomachs than soup tonight.’  She gestured towards the stove from whence came a whiff of something appetising cooking. ‘I’m not preparing all this for just myself and Frank you know.’

 

 

 

‘Lottie we can’t,’ said Ben, although he knew that his protests were useless. ‘We’ve been here three times this week already.’

 

 

 

‘Three times,’ Adam informed her, holding up three fingers.

 

 

 

‘And tonight it’ll make it four,’ said the woman firmly. ‘I’ll not have all this food going to waste Ben Cartwright, especially as I’ve made apple pie just for the person who I know loves it best.’  She tweaked Adam’s nose playfully and the little boy grinned at her before giving his father a pleading look.

 

 

 

Ben raised his hands in a gesture of hopelessness. ‘What chance do I have against the two of you?’ he said with a laugh. ‘Thank you Lottie.  We’d be happy to join you and Frank.’  The two adults smiled at each other as Adam dipped his finger into the bowl again.

 

 

 

‘Where’s Uncle Frank?’ asked the child suddenly.

 

 

 

‘Out back,’ said Lottie as she poured a cup of coffee for Ben and motioned for him to sit down. ‘I guess he’s been waiting for a certain little boy to help him milk that cow of ours.’

 

 

 

Adam gave his father a hopeful look and Ben nodded.  Adam climbed down from his chair and headed out of the back door, banging it as he left the room. Lottie shook her head. ‘The dear little thing,’ she said. ‘You know that Frank and I bless the day that you brought him to Elwood, don’t you Ben?’

 

 

 

Ben tried to look offended. ‘And here I was thinking that it was my company you were craving… not my son’s.’

 

 

 

Lottie flashed a smile at him. ‘You know we love having you both,’ she said. ‘It’s just that your little one really brightens up our lives Ben. He’s a beautiful child and you’ve done so well with him considering.’

 

 

 

‘Thank you,’ said Ben. His eyes clouded over for an instant. ‘Only …’

 

 

 

Lottie glanced at him, alerted by the change of tone in his voice. ‘Only what?’ she said.

 

 

 

‘Only … sometimes I wonder if I’m being fair to him.’

 

 

 

‘What do you mean?’

 

 

 

‘Dragging him across the country like this.  We’ve been on the road since he was less than a year old you know Lottie and this is the first time we’ve stopped long enough for him to put down any kind of roots at all.  It does my heart good to see him relate to you and Frank in this way and get to know a few children in the town, but …’

 

 

 

‘But there’s always the thought in the back of your mind that you’ll be moving on.’ Lottie finished for him.

 

 

 

Ben nodded as he fiddled with a spoon on the table. ‘Yes,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘Then why go?’

 

 

 

Ben hesitated for a moment before replying in a low voice. ‘I have to,’ he said. ‘I don’t know if I can explain this properly Lottie … it’s hard to find the words … but I just know that there’s something out there waiting for Adam and myself and I have to find it.’

 

 

 

Lottie sat down beside him and put her hand over his as it rested on the table. ‘How do you know that what you’re looking for isn’t here?’ she said gently.

 

 

 

Ben smiled at the older woman. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘I just do.’  He patted her hand and stood up to look out of the window at the mountains in the distance. ‘Since as long as I can remember Elizabeth and I always talked about following our dream,’ he said. ‘It was something that we started planning since just after we first met. Following the dream,’ he said in a soft voice.

 

 

 

Lottie shook her head. ‘And while you’re following this dream of yours,’ she said. ‘What do you think is going to happen to your son?’

 

 

 

Ben turned to face her. ‘My son?’ he said. ‘What do you mean?’

 

 

 

‘Well you just said yourself that you wonder at times if you’re being fair to him,’ Lottie replied. ‘Children need stability Ben.  They need security.’

 

 

 

‘Adam has all that with me,’ said Ben defensively.

 

 

 

‘Yes of course he does,’ replied the woman. ‘It’s obvious to anyone with eyes in their head that you’re very close.  You’re a wonderful father to the boy Ben, but …’

 

 

 

‘But?’

 

 

 

Lottie took a deep breath. ‘He’s a bright little thing Ben.  How are you going to make sure that he gets the education that he needs?  He’s nearly five years old … you should be thinking about putting him into school soon.’

 

 

 

Ben frowned at the woman’s words. ‘I can teach him,’ he said. ‘I’m not completely stupid you know.’

 

 

 

Lottie shook her head and put her hands on her hips. ‘Now don’t you carry on like that with me Benjamin Cartwright,’ she admonished the young man. ‘I meant that Adam needs children of his own age to learn with.’  Her voice softened. ‘I’m only thinking of the child Ben.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘Only … staying here … it seems like I’d be giving up on all that Elizabeth and I dreamt of.  It would be like giving up on our dream … giving up on her.’

 

 

 

Lottie hesitated before speaking. ‘Ben … she’s dead,’ she said softly.

 

 

 

Ben hung his head. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘You don’t have to remind me of that fact.  I know it every time I look at Adam and see her in him.’  He looked out of the window again at the far distant mountains. ‘All I know is that I have to do what we talked about … I have to follow the dream.’

 

 

 

The back door was flung open and Adam came hurtling through it pulling an elderly man by the hand. ‘I milked the cow by myself Pa!’ he said happily. ‘Didn’t I Uncle Frank?’

 

 

 

He certainly did,’ said Frank, giving the boy an affectionate look. ‘You would have been proud of him if you’d seen it Ben.

 

 

 

‘I’m proud of him all the time,’ said Ben, swooping the little boy up into his arms and giving him a hug.

 

 

 

‘Now you three men get washed up,’ said Lottie, pointing her spoon at them. ‘I’ll not have dirty hands at my table!’

 

 

 

Adam giggled and turned to his father. ‘Aunt Lottie thinks I’m a man Pa,’ he said delightedly.

 

 

 

‘And so you are,’ said Ben, giving him another squeeze. ‘You’re my little man.’

 

 

 

 

 

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Ben stroked the dark hair on the pillow and smiled at his son as Adam lay staring up at his father in the dim light of the lamp. ‘Sleepy?’ Ben asked.

 

 

 

Adam shook his head. ‘Nope,’ he said, his drooping eyes betraying his words. ‘Can I listen to the music box Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben nodded, although his heart sank at the child’s words. He could never listen to Elizabeth’s music box without feeling an intense sadness overwhelm him and yet he knew that Adam loved it so. He reached over and lifted the lid of the small box which he’d placed on the dresser beside his son’s bed and closed his eyes as the tinkling sound once more enveloped him and the sadness returned to tug at his heart strings yet again.

 

 

 

‘Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben forced his eyes open and looked down into Elizabeth’s hazel eyes. ‘Yes Adam?’

 

 

 

‘You OK?  You’re looking sad again.’

 

 

 

Ben bent down and kissed the little boy. ‘I’m fine,’ he said. ‘Go to sleep now.’  He watched as Adam fought the sleep that was threatening to overtake him and marvelled at the way in which the dark curling hair and the long dark lashes as they lay on the soft cheeks reminded him of another love …. in another time and another place.

 

 

 

 

 

‘Ben Cartwright, are you listening to me?’

 

 

 

Ben forced his eyes open again and smiled at the dark-haired beauty in front of him. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I’m listening.’

 

 

 

‘Well you could have fooled me,’ said Elizabeth, pretending to be indignant and not quite succeeding. ‘What was I saying?’

 

 

 

Ben gave her one of his best smiles … the smile that he knew always managed to melt her anger. ‘You were talking about your favourite topic.’  He smiled again. ‘Our favourite topic.’  He placed a hand on her growing stomach and felt the life within it. ‘It’s moving again,’ he said delightedly.

 

 

 

‘Well of course it is,’ she replied complacently. ‘Babies tend to do that you know. He probably wants to come out and see his father.’

 

 

 

‘He?’ said Ben, amused. ‘And how, pray tell, would you know that it’s a he? And it isn’t time yet so he has to learn to be patient.’

 

 

 

‘Mothers know these things,’ said Elizabeth smugly. ‘And I wish it was time.’  Her eyes took on a faraway look. ‘The sooner this baby is born the better. Then we can start preparing.’

 

 

 

‘There’s time enough,’ said Ben, rolling onto his stomach and looking at the clouds lazily. He flinched as Elizabeth hit him on the arm.

 

 

 

‘Don’t tell me you’re giving up on all our plans?’ she said indignantly. ‘Ben Cartwright!  After all the things we’ve talked about … all the plans we’ve made!’

 

 

 

‘Of course I’m not,’ replied Ben, rubbing his arms. ‘Only with a new baby and all … it’ll be some time now before we can start off. This puts things back a bit … you said so yourself.’

 

 

 

‘Well yes,’ she replied. ‘But only a bit.  Ben …’ she looked at him pleadingly. ‘Please tell me again … tell me what it’s going to be like.’

 

 

 

Ben propped himself up on one arm and smiled at her. ‘We should be able to go next spring,’ he assured her. ‘This little one should be ready by then to travel … you and him both.’  He looked towards the west where the sun was sinking below the mountains. ‘We’ll take it easier of course.  Probably take longer now, but we’ll get there some day.’

 

 

 

Elizabeth snuggled close to him and he put a protective arm around her shoulders. ‘We’ll get where?’ she asked, although she already knew the answer.

 

 

 

‘To the place of our dreams,’ he said in a low voice. ‘We’ll follow our dream until we find it.’

 

 

 

‘And how will we know it?’ she asked teasingly. ‘How will we know when we’ve found it?’

 

 

 

Ben grinned at her. ‘How do I know?’ he asked. ‘I’m counting on you to tell me when we’re there.’

 

 

 

Elizabeth’s smile faded and she sat up suddenly. ‘Ben I want you to promise me something,’ she said seriously.

 

 

 

‘What?’

 

 

 

‘That if … if something happens to me then you won’t give up.  Promise me that you’ll still follow the dream even if I’m not there with you.’

 

 

 

Ben pulled her close to him. ‘Oh for heaven’s sake Liz,’ he said. ‘What on earth could possibly ever happen to you?’

 

 

 

‘Promise me Ben,’ she said insistently, pulling away from him and looking deeply into his dark brown eyes. ‘Promise me that no matter what you won’t give up.’

 

 

 

Ben put up his hand and chuckled. ‘I promise,’ he said in a mock serious tone. ‘I promise that I won’t give up.’  He drew her towards him and they snuggled together again. ‘There’ll be no more talk of giving up,’ he said. ‘You and I are going to follow that dream of ours together.’  He didn’t see the momentary frown that crossed his young wife’s face, but he felt her shiver in his arms. ‘Cold?’ he said.

 

 

 

‘No,’ she replied. ‘Not cold … just …’  She forced a smile on her face. ‘It’s wonderful to think of our son living with our dream, isn’t it Ben darling?’

 

 

 

Ben put his hand on her stomach and felt the small fluttering movements there again. ‘Yes it is,’ he said. ‘Our son will grow up somewhere with the wind on his face and freedom in his heart.  We’ll find a place with plenty of space where we can watch him grow to be a man to be proud of Liz.’

 

 

 

 

 

Ben stared down at the slumbering child beside him and reached out his hand to stroke the soft curling hair … so like Elizabeth’s. He didn’t know what force had led her to say the things she had that day … but he was glad that she had.  He knew without doubt that he had to continue to follow the dream that had been theirs … and was now his and Adam’s …. and nothing, not even this wonderful town of Elwood and its people, could stop them from doing that.  He didn’t know where they would eventually settle, but something deep within him told him that this wasn’t the place.  Even though they were happy here … this still wasn’t the place.  One day he would find it … one day they would find it …. and Elizabeth’s spirit would be at peace when they did.

 

 

 

 

 

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‘No luck yet?’ Ben asked teasingly as Adam frowned at the still water in front of them.

 

 

 

Adam shook his head. ‘No Pa,’ he said seriously. ‘No luck yet.  Maybe them fish just isn’t hungry today.’

 

 

 

Ben smothered a chuckle. ‘Maybe not,’ he agreed. ‘Sure is a shame is they’re not though.’

 

 

 

Adam nodded his head. ‘Sure is a shame,’ he agreed. He glanced over at his father who was propped up against a tree holding his own fishing line as it dangled in the water, his long legs crossed in front of him. Adam straightened his own little legs out in front of him and crossed them in imitation of his father’s before turning his attention back to the water again. ‘Looks like we isn’t gonna have any fish for supper tonight,’ he declared.

 

 

 

‘Don’t give up yet son,’ said Ben easily. ‘There’s plenty of time.’ He gave a great yawn.

 

 

 

‘You tired Pa?’ asked Adam.

 

 

 

‘A bit,’ admitted Ben.

 

 

 

‘You been working too hard in that Livery Stable,’ Adam admonished him. ‘That’s what aunt Lottie says.’

 

 

 

‘And aunt Lottie would be right,’ said a voice behind them. ‘She just might have to speak to that boss of yours about it.’  She shot her husband Frank a stern look which he returned with a carefree grin as he baited his hook. ‘Are you three men coming to eat this picnic lunch I’ve taken the trouble to make or aren’t you?’ she asked.

 

 

 

Ben made a face. ‘Now how could I turn down some of your wonderful chicken?’ he asked. ‘I’m coming Lottie.’

 

 

 

Adam gave his father a pleading look. ‘Can’t I try just a bit longer Pa?’ he asked. ‘I reckon them fish is just waiting to be caught.’

 

 

 

‘All right,’ said Ben as he stood up. ‘Just for a bit longer.  We’ll be eating just over here.’

 

 

 

‘I’ll save you a piece of my special pie,’ said Lottie, patting the little boy on the head.

 

 

 

‘Apple?’ asked Adam.

 

 

 

‘Of course,’ she replied. ‘What else would I make when I know that it’s your favourite?’

 

 

 

Ben, Frank and Lottie settled themselves down on the rug and were soon eating heartily as they watched Adam fish. ‘I’m glad that you invited us today,’ said Ben. ‘There’s something I want to talk to you both about.’

 

 

 

Lottie shot Frank a concerned look. ‘And what would that be?’ she asked.

 

 

 

Ben bit his lip and hesitated before replying, knowing that his words wouldn’t be pleasant for the couple to hear. ‘I’ve been thinking that it’s about time Adam and I moved on,’ he said. ‘I’ve saved enough to get us quite a bit further on thanks to the job you gave me Frank.’  He shot the man a grateful look. ‘And its time we were on our way soon.’

 

 

 

‘Why now?’ asked Frank.

 

 

 

‘I want to get as far as possible before the winter sets in,’ explained Ben. ‘I don’t think it’s fair to expect Adam to travel in the cold. By winter I hope we’ll have found somewhere to wait out the snows.’

 

 

 

‘Do you think it’s fair for him to travel at all?’  asked Lottie in a low voice.

 

 

 

Ben looked away. ‘We’ve been through this before,’ he said. ‘I know what you think about me travelling with the boy and I realise that it’s hard on you both since you’ve grown so fond of Adam.

 

 

 

‘We’ve grown fond of both of you,’ said Lottie, putting her hand on top of his.

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘As I have of both of you,’ he said. ‘Please don’t make this any harder than it already is. Adam and I have to leave some time.  You both know that. We’ve probably stayed too long as it is.’

 

 

 

‘Meaning?’ asked Frank.

 

 

 

‘Meaning that the longer we stay the harder it is becoming to leave,’ said Ben wistfully.

 

 

 

‘So why go?’ persisted Lottie. ‘Surely you’re both happy here?  You’ve seen the way Adam has blossomed since you arrived and there’s school here for the boy as well.’

 

 

 

Ben said nothing for a few minutes and then broke the silence that hung around them all. ‘I have to follow the dream,’ he said at last. ‘I promised Elizabeth.’

 

 

 

Frank looked at Lottie who nodded slightly. ‘We understand son,’ he said. ‘But there’s something that Lottie and I want to say to you.  Something we’ve discussed at great length.’

 

 

 

Ben looked up at the man in surprise. ‘What?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘It’s about Adam,’ said Frank. ‘Why don’t you leave him here with us?’

 

 

 

Ben blinked a couple of times and he jerked backwards from the man. ‘Are you mad?’ he said. ‘Leave Adam?  Leave my son?  Absolutely not!’

 

 

 

‘We don’t mean forever,’ said Lottie quickly. ‘We mean just for a little while.  Long enough for you to travel on and find whatever it is you’re looking for and then you could come back to fetch him.  You’d travel a lot quicker without the boy and you know that he’d be well cared for here.’

 

 

 

‘Well of course I know that,’ agreed Ben. ‘That’s not really the point.’

 

 

 

‘Then what is?

 

 

 

‘The point is that I don’t want to leave him,’ said Ben firmly. ‘Not even for a little while.’

 

 

 

‘I know,’ said Lottie gently. ‘But think of the child Ben.  What kind of life is it for him?  Travelling like you have been with no one place to call home?  Lord knows you’ve been a wonderful father to him up until now, but what’s going to happen when your money runs out next time?  You’ve told us yourself how hard it was for you before you arrived in Ohio and you don’t want to subject the boy to any unnecessary hardships again, do you?’

 

 

 

‘Well no …’

 

 

 

‘And then there’s the school house,’ interrupted Frank. ‘Adam deserves to go to a proper school Ben … even if only for a while until you come back for him. He’s of the age when he needs to have that mind of his stimulated.  He’s a bright boy you know.’

 

 

 

‘I do know,’ said Ben.

 

 

 

‘All we’re asking is that you think about it,’ said Lottie. ‘We don’t want to take your son away from you Ben.  We only want to help.’

 

 

 

‘I promised Elizabeth,’ said Ben stubbornly.

 

 

 

‘And we’re not asking you to break that promise,’ insisted Lottie. ‘We’re only saying that perhaps it would be best for you to go on ahead for a while and find whatever it is you’re looking for, knowing that we will watch over Adam for you until you return to fetch him.  We’d care for him as if he were our own.’

 

 

 

‘I know,’ said Ben.

 

 

 

‘Only say you’ll think about it,’ said Frank.  ‘That’s all we’re asking.’

 

 

 

‘All right,’ said Ben, staring at the small dark-haired child near the river. ‘I’ll think about it.’

 

 

 

 

 

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Ben led the horse out of the Livery Stable and smiled to see his small son crouched down near the building with another boy next to him.  Adam was patiently explaining to the other child why the ants were walking in a straight line and Ben paused for a moment to see if his son got his facts straight.

 

 

 

‘Couldn’t have explained it better myself,’ he said, bursting with pride at the little boy’s succinct explanation.

 

 

 

‘What Pa?’ asked Adam, looking up.

 

 

 

‘Nothing,’ said Ben, ruffling his son’s hair. ‘Hello Jake.’

 

 

 

‘Hello Mr Cartwright,’ said Jake Ellis standing up. He was a year older than Adam, but to listen to the two boys during their many conversation, Ben could have sworn that his son was the older of the two.  ‘I gotta go now,’ said Jake. ‘Ma said to be home fer lunch. Bye Adam!’

 

 

 

‘Bye,’ said Adam, waving to his friend and smiling happily. Watching him, Ben’s heart lurched with the memory of the conversation he’d had with Lottie and Frank the day before. They’d certainly been right about one thing … He’d never seen Adam more carefree than he was here amongst his new friends and the conversation he’d just witnessed only served to impress that fact upon him even more.

 

 

 

‘We’d better head home for our lunch too, young man,’ said Ben, tying up the horse and holding out his hand to his son. ‘Come on.’

 

 

 

Adam swung happily on his father’s hand as they headed down the street, passing the small schoolhouse on the way where the children could be seen spilling out of the doorway for their lunch break.  Adam’s eyes widened at the sight. ‘That’s the school Pa,’ he informed his father.

 

 

 

‘I know.’

 

 

 

‘Jake is going there next month,’ said Adam wistfully. ‘He’s says he’s big enough now.’

 

 

 

‘Does he?  I suppose he would be. He’s older than you.’

 

 

 

‘What’s a month?’ asked Adam curiously.

 

 

 

‘Four weeks.’

 

 

 

‘Oh.  How many days is a week?’

 

 

 

‘Seven.’

 

 

 

There was silence for a long time as Adam digested this information. Finally he spoke again. ‘I reckon I’ll have to get my sticks out later to work that one out, huh Pa?’

 

 

 

‘I guess so son,’ said Ben. Lately Adam had begun to stockpile a collection of sticks, which he was using whenever the computations he needed to work out went beyond his fingers.  Privately, Ben thought his son showed great initiative doing so, but today the thought of the child’s method of counting only served to remind him of his need for an education and the lack of it that he’d have on the trail when they left.  Suddenly he pulled Adam to the side of the street and sat down on the edge of the sidewalk, looking directly into his small intelligent face.

 

 

 

‘Adam son I want to ask you something and I want you to tell me the truth,’ he said. ‘Would you like to stay here in Elwood and go to school?’

 

 

 

There was not the slightest hesitation in the child’s face and Ben’s heart lurched at the sparkle that came immediately into his hazel eyes. ‘Ya mean it Pa?’ he asked delightedly. ‘Can I really go to school too?’

 

 

 

‘I’m just asking if you’d like to,’ said Ben warily. ‘What would you think about that?’

 

 

 

‘Yes!’ said Adam, clapping his hands. ‘I could learn them big numbers and I wouldn’t need my sticks no more.’  He put his head on one side and thought for a moment. ‘Would I learn to read in school too?’

 

 

 

‘Yes.  They teach reading in school.’

 

 

 

‘Reading books?’

 

 

 

‘Yes … reading books.’

 

 

 

Adam nodded decisively. ‘Then I’d like to stay and go to school,’ he said firmly.

 

 

 

Ben closed his eyes for a moment. ‘I see,’ he said.

 

 

 

Adam studied his father’s face for a moment. ‘Are you OK Pa?’ he asked.

 

 

 

‘I’m fine son,’ said Ben, standing up. ‘Let’s get home for lunch now, shall we?’  He led the little boy past the schoolhouse and up the street towards the small couple of rooms he rented for the two of them, his heart sinking with each step that Adam so conscientiously counted out beside him as they walked.

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘How’s it going?’  Ben looked down from the wagon at Frank who was leaning against the wall of the livery Stable watching him as he worked.

 

 

 

‘I’m just checking things,’ said Ben. ‘I haven’t taken the wagon out since I got here and I’m just checking that everything is OK before I get my things loaded.’

 

 

 

‘Your things,’ said Frank, his eyebrow lifting slightly. ‘Do I take it from that remark that you’ve decided not to take Adam?’

 

 

 

Ben avoided the man’s gaze and bent his head to continue working. ‘I’m not sure,’ he admitted. ‘To be honest the argument you and Lottie put forward the other day made a lot of sense and I can’t get it out of my head.  Perhaps you’re right …. I know that Adam desperately wants to go to school, but …’ His voice trailed away.

 

 

 

‘But you don’t want to leave him.’

 

 

 

Ben shook his head firmly. ‘No,’ he admitted. ‘I don’t want to leave him, but …. Well I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being selfish if I do.’  He shook his head. ‘I just don’t know what to do.’

 

 

 

Frank stared at the younger man for a moment without speaking and then straightened. ‘Perhaps you should talk to Adam about it?’ he suggested.

 

 

 

Ben looked at him for the first time. ‘He’s only four years old,’ he said. ‘I couldn’t possibly ask him to make such a difficult decision.’

 

 

 

‘Ben, that boy has an old head on his little shoulders,’ said Frank. ‘I think that you’ll find he knows his own mind.’

 

 

 

Ben shook his head decisively. ‘No,’ he said. ‘I can’t do that to him. I’m the parent and I’ll decide what’s best for him.’

 

 

 

‘I guess that’s the point isn’t it?’ said Frank.

 

 

 

‘What do you mean?’

 

 

 

‘You said what’s best for him.  Just keep that in mind when you make your decision Ben.  It’s what is best for Adam that counts isn’t it? Not you or me or anyone else.’  He reached up and patted Ben on the shoulder and smiled at him. ‘Well you think about it,’ he said. ‘I’ll see you at supper.’

 

 

 

Ben stared after Frank for a long time before turning back to his work again, the man’s parting words whirling around and around in his head as he did.

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘I’ve made my decision,’ said Ben, entering the kitchen with his hat in his hands. Lottie and Frank looked up, both of them noting the white knuckles on the young man’s hands as he twisted his hat around and around in his anxiety. They both stared at him, waiting for his next words. ‘If you’re still willing, I’ll leave Adam here with you for a few months,’ said Ben. ‘I owe it to him to give him the best chance I can … and this way he can go to school until I come back for him.’

 

 

 

Lottie stood up and placed her hands on the young man’s shoulders. ‘You know that we’ll look after him as if he were our own,’ she said gently.

 

 

 

‘I know.’  Ben’s troubled brown eyes looked at her intently.

 

 

 

‘And we’ll make sure …’

 

 

 

Ben turned away. ‘I’ll be leaving in the morning,’ he interrupted. ‘I’m going to tell Adam tonight.’

 

 

 

‘You don’t think that you should just slip away quietly?’

 

 

 

‘No.  I don’t want to leave without explaining to him why I’m doing this.  I have to try and make him understand what’s going on. I owe him that.’  He walked out side again, closing the door quietly behind him.

 

 

 

‘He’s one brave young man,’ said Lottie quietly after a moment of silence. ‘And a wonderful father to that boy.  This is killing him to do this.’

 

 

 

‘All the more reason to admire him for it,’ said Frank.

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben pulled his little boy’s nightshirt over the dark curly head. ‘There,’ he said. ‘Now into bed young man.’

 

 

 

Adam held up his arms to his father. ‘Story Pa?’ he said pleadingly. ‘Can’t I have just one story?’

 

 

 

Ben’s heart constricted at the sight of the child and he bent down and clasped him to his heart for a few moments tightly. ‘Of course,’ he said, when he could speak again. ‘I do have a story to tell you tonight.’  He carried Adam over to the chair in the corner of the room next to the small window and settled down with him on his lap.  He stroked the soft dark hair and wished with all his heart that this were one story that he didn’t have to tell his son.

 

 

 

‘Well,’ he said when he settled with the child. ‘This is a story about a little boy who was four years old.’

 

 

 

Adam held up four fingers. ‘I’m four too,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘Yes,’ said Ben, hugging him tighter. ‘He was a very smart little boy and a very brave little boy too.’

 

 

 

‘What was his name?’ asked Adam, snuggling into his father’s chest and looking up trustingly at the man.

 

 

 

‘His name was …. Adam,’ said Ben.

 

 

 

‘Same as me,’ said Adam with a loud yawn.

 

 

 

‘Yes.  Well Adam was such a smart and clever little boy that his father decided to send him to school when he was just four years old,’ continued Ben. ‘Adam knew that he would really like school and so he was very excited to go.  He knew that he would make lots of friends there and that he would be able to learn lots of interesting things.’

 

 

 

‘Like reading books,’ said Adam excitedly.

 

 

 

‘Yes.’

 

 

 

‘And counting big numbers.’

 

 

 

‘Yes. So Adam said to his Pa that he would like to go to school. But his Pa had a problem.’

 

 

 

Adam sat up and looked at his father with the intense gaze that Ben grown so used to.

 

 

 

‘What was his Pa’s problem?’ he asked.

 

 

 

Ben took a deep breath. ‘His Pa knew that he couldn’t stay in the town where the school was while Adam went there.  He had to go and find a spot for them to live …’ He looked away from the child’s eyes which had clouded over. ‘And so he left Adam with some wonderful people who would look after him until he got back.’

 

 

 

Adam swallowed before opening his mouth. ‘Was they called aunt Lottie and uncle Frank?’ he asked in a small voice.

 

 

 

Ben nodded, wiling himself to remain cheerful, at least in the eyes of his small son. ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘And Adam’s father knew that Adam would be very happy staying with them until he came back.’ He stopped and looked at the little boy whose bottom lip had begun to tremble.

 

 

 

‘I don’t wanna stay here without you Pa,’ Adam said.

 

 

 

Ben stroked the dark hair. ‘It’ll only be for a little while,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘How long?’

 

 

 

‘A few months.’

 

 

 

Adam hesitated. ‘You said a month is four weeks,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘Yes.’

 

 

 

‘How many months?’

 

 

 

‘I’m not sure.  A few.’

 

 

 

Adam swallowed. ‘I guess I’d need lots of sticks to count it then,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben drew his son towards him. ‘I think so,’ he said.  There was silence for a moment and then he added. ‘But once you get to school you’ll be able to learn all about those big numbers and it won’t seem so long.’

 

 

 

Adam drew away from his father and shook his head. ‘I don’t wanna go to school,’ he said firmly. ‘I changed my mind.’

 

 

 

‘Adam …’

 

 

 

Adam shook his little head firmly. ‘I don’t wanna go no more,’ he said. ‘I can bring lot of sticks when we leave Pa and use em to count.  I don’t need ta learn them big numbers no more.’

 

 

 

‘Adam …’

 

 

 

Adam clutched hold of his father’s waist, drawing his little body as close as he could get to him. ‘Please don’t make me stay here Pa!’ he cried. ‘Please take me with you!’

 

 

 

Ben’s heart constricted as he tried desperately to be strong for the child in his arms. ‘Adam, it’s for the best,’ he said quietly.

 

 

 

Adam sniffled against his father’s chest. ‘Don’t you love me any more Pa?’ he asked in a small voice.

 

 

 

Ben closed his eyes momentarily. ‘Of course I love you!’ he said. ‘Don’t you ever think for one moment that I don’t!  I just think that you’ll have fun living here with aunt Lottie and uncle Frank while Pa goes to find where we’re going to live. As soon as I find it I’ll come back for you.’  Adam was silent in his father’s arms, apart from the sniffling. Ben continued to stroke the dark hair against his chest. ‘I love you so much Adam,’ he said softly. ‘I just want what’s best for you son.’

 

 

 

‘It’s best for me to come with you,’ said Adam, beginning to hiccup in between his sniffles.

 

 

 

Ben laid his face in the dark hair. ‘We’ll be together again,’ he said. ‘Just give it some time.’  He listened to the sniffles and the hiccups of the small child on his lap as he rocked him.

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam stared at Ben with his big hazel eyes as his father clambered down from the wagon. The little boy gripped Lottie’s hand tightly and she smiled down at him.  Adam didn’t return the smile, but continued to stare at his father with a serious expression.

 

 

 

‘Well,’ said Frank, sensing the tension in the air and trying to appear more cheerfully because of it. ‘It seems like you’re all set young man.’  He held out his hand to shake Ben’s. ‘You take care of yourself Ben.  We’ll see you when you get back.’

 

 

 

Ben nodded as he returned the handshake. ‘Thank you for everything Frank,’ he said. ‘I honestly don’t know how I would have managed without you … both of you,’ he added, looking over at Lottie.

 

 

 

‘Don’t you mention it,’ said Frank sincerely. ‘You’ve been the best darn worker in that Livery Stable that I’ve ever had.’

 

 

 

‘I don’t just mean the job,’ said Ben meaningfully.

 

 

 

Frank nodded. ‘I know,’ he said patting the other man on the shoulder. ‘You take care of yourself now and make sure that you write and let us know where you are.’

 

 

 

‘And when you’ll be back,’ added Lottie, with a significant look at Adam.

 

 

 

Ben nodded and walked over to give the woman a hug. ‘You don’t know how grateful I am to you for doing this,’ he said.

 

 

 

Lottie returned the hug. ‘You know how we feel about him,’ she said gently. ‘It’s a pleasure for us.’  She smiled at the young man. ‘Now you just go and find that dream of yours you’re always talking about and know that your precious little man will be here for you to come back to when you do,’ she said.

 

 

 

Ben nodded again, unable to reply to her due to the emotions that were welling up inside him.  He took a deep breath as he knelt down and stared at the little boy by her side. Adam stared back at his father, his hand still gripping Lottie’s tightly. Ben reached over and stroked the dark hair as he tried to smile at his son. ‘Well Adam,’ he said gently. ‘Its time for me to go now.’  He gathered the child into his arms, noting that the little body was stiff within his grasp. He hugged him towards himself, feeling that Adam couldn’t help but feel his heart, which seemed to be nearly bursting through his chest.

 

 

 

Ben stroked his son’s hair, not knowing what to say and not knowing if he could say it even if he had the words. After a few moments, he held Adam back from him and looked intently into his eyes. ‘Pa loves you very much,’ he said. ‘And I’ll be back for you as soon as I can.’ Adam nodded silently as he stared at his father with wide eyes that showed too little sleep from the night before. Ben swallowed and then handed the little boy over to Lottie, who grasped him firmly by the hand. ‘You be good,’ he said as he stood up.  Adam nodded silently again and stuck his thumb into his mouth, something that Ben noted at once.  He hadn’t seen him do it for years and the sight of the gesture tore at his heart.

 

 

 

Ben turned before he could weaken and give in to his urge to gather his son up into his arms and carry him onto the wagon with him.  With his heart breaking, he took a step away and then turned as he heard a small voice behind him.

 

 

 

‘Bye Pa.  I love you.’

 

 

 

Ben crouched down and held out his arms, gathering Adam to him as the child dropped Lottie’s hand and ran towards his father.  He stood up with Adam in his arms and closed his eyes as he tried to imprint the feel of his little boy onto his brain for future reference.  ‘Goodbye Adam,’ he said. ‘I’ll be back soon.’  He held the child out to Lottie and got into the wagon without another word, not daring to look back.

 

 

 

As Ben drove away from the town, he heard the sniffles of his little boy behind him as the child dissolved into tears.  His own heart breaking, he sat resolutely on the seat and willed his body to keep the wagon moving.

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Is he asleep?’

 

 

 

‘I think so,’ said Lottie as she sat down heavily at the kitchen table.  ‘He’s finally stopped crying at least.’  She sighed. ‘Poor child,’ she said.

 

 

 

‘Poor Ben,’ said Frank as he lit his pipe.  ‘The boy will adapt in time Lottie, but that young man is going to find these next few months hard.’

 

 

 

‘They both will,’ his wife replied thoughtfully. ‘They both will.’

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ben sat and stared into the fire mournfully, a cold morning chill settling around him as he meditated on the events of the day before.  He still didn’t know how he had managed to leave the most precious thing he had in this world and simply walk away from his son … but do it he had.  It was only his strength of character that had enabled him to do so.

 

 

 

He knew in his head that he had done the best thing for his child, but he wondered in his heart how they were both going to cope in the coming months. Last night he had felt the loss keenly as he had tossed and turned without once feeling the warm little body beside him as usual and when the dawn had finally broken his eyes were red rimmed and bloodshot.  Ben supposed that in time he’d get used to the fact that he was alone now, but he knew that he’d never get used to the ache in his heart that was there with every breath that he took.

 

 

 

He sighed as he began to douse the small fire on which he’d hearted his coffee and began to gather up his meagre belongings to pack onto the wagon.  One thing he had noticed even in this short time was that he had managed to travel faster than he ever had before and he was determined now to cover as much ground as possible in as short time as he could.  With every mile that he covered he was one mile closer to finding his destination and one mile closer to his son.  He packed his things into the wagon with a fierce determination in his heart and a conviction in his soul that he was doing the right thing.

 

 

 

As he hopped up into the wagon and began to hitch up the reins of the horses, he spoke aloud for the first time that morning. ‘Off we go then,’ he shouted and then stopped abruptly.  Every morning since he’d bought the wagon all that time ago, he and Adam had started off the day by shouting this phrase together.  It had become part of their morning ritual and now all he heard was the hollow sound of his own voice without the lilting treble one beside him.  His heart nearly burst with the ache that constricted it and he bent his head and wept the bitter tears that he’d longed to during the past twenty-four hours.

 

 

 

‘Oh Liz,’ he said in a broken whisper. ‘I hope I’ve done the right thing … please let me know that I’ve done the right thing.’

 

 

 

At that moment he heard a shout and he jerked his head up and wiped his eyes on his sleeve, turning around and staring into the early morning light.  He waited as four men rode into the clearing, Frank at the head of the group. ‘Frank!’ he shouted. ‘Where did you spring from?’

 

 

 

Frank drew his horse to a halt beside the wagon. ‘Ben!’ he cried. ‘Thank God we found you!’

 

 

 

Ben went pale. ‘What is it?’ he said anxiously. ‘Adam?’

 

 

 

Frank nodded. ‘Yes,’ he replied.  ‘Lottie went to check on him late last night before we went to bed and he’d gone.  Out the window by the look of it.’

 

 

 

Ben began to breathe deeply as the shock of the man’s words set in. ‘What?’ he said. ‘How?’

 

 

 

Frank shook his head. ‘We thought he was asleep, but obviously not,’ he continued. ‘He was naturally upset after you left and Lottie had only just got him settled for an hour or so before we noticed him gone.  We’ve spent the night searching the whole town but he isn’t there.  His tracks lead out of town … he’s coming after you Ben.’

 

 

 

‘There’s no way that a child of that age could have caught up with me,’ said Ben, his eyes wild. ‘Where is he?  Where is my son?’

 

 

 

Frank leant over and put his hand on Ben’s shoulder. ‘Now calm down,’ he said. ‘He’s obviously somewhere between here and the town.  We’ll find him.’

 

 

 

‘But you’ve just come along the trail,’ said Ben as he began to turn the wagon around to face the way he’d just come. ‘You would have seen him surely.’

 

 

 

‘It was still dark along part of it Ben,’ said one of the other men. ‘A child that size … we could have easily missed him.’

 

 

 

‘We’ll find him on the way back for sure,’ said Frank. ‘Don’t you worry.’

 

 

 

Ben hitched up the reins of the horses and drove them back the way he’d come without another word.

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘I just don’t understand it,’ said Ben, running his hands through his dark hair in a frustrated gesture.  He must be on the trail, so why haven’t we come across him?’

 

 

 

‘Maybe he didn’t come this way?’ suggested one of the men.

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘He knew the way I came,’ he said. ‘This is the main trail out of town and he would know to follow the wagon tracks.’ He gazed into the town in front of him. ‘I’m going back again,’ he said turning the horse around for a second time. ‘We must have missed him.’

 

 

 

‘I’m coming with you,’ said Frank. ‘Bert … you and the others get into town and round up as many men as you can.  There’s no telling what could have happened to a child that small out here.’  He stopped and stared at Ben, an appalled expression on his face. ‘Ben I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I didn’t mean to say that.’

 

 

 

Ben took a deep breath. ‘It’s all right Frank,’ he said. ‘You only said what we’ re all thinking.  A child the size of Adam … who knows what …’  His voice trailed away and he hung his head. ‘Let’s get going,’ he said. ‘I’m going to find my son if its the last thing I do.’

 

 

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘Ben!’ shouted Frank as he bent down and studied the ground in front of him. ‘Over here!’

 

 

 

Ben jumped down from the wagon and ran over to the other man, crouching down beside him. ‘What?’ he said. ‘Did you find something?’

 

 

 

Frank pointed to the small footprint in the dirt. ‘Well we know he got this far,’ he said. ‘He sure is a plucky little one isn’t he?’  He scratched his chin thoughtfully. ‘The tracks don’t seem to go any further.  He looked into the bushes by the side of the trail. ‘You go down that way and I’ll try up here,’ he said.

 

 

 

Ben nodded and set off down the slight slope, his heart in his mouth as it had been for the past hour as they searched up and down the trail for Adam.  They had tried to narrow down the search to a shorter distance along the trail, judging the distance a four year old child could have travelled at night, yet still Ben wondered if they were accurate in their estimations.  He was just about to call Frank and discuss it with him, when he heard a slight snuffling noise in the bushes.  He strode over to them and cautiously pulled them back to reveal the tear-streaked face of his little son. ‘Adam!’ he shouted as he pulled the boy into his arms. ‘Frank!  I’ve found him!’

 

 

 

There was a rustling in the bushes behind him and Frank appeared, his face wreathed in smiles. ‘Thank God!’ the man breathed fervently.  He watched as Ben crouched down on the ground and looked intently into his son’s miserable face as he spoke to him.

 

 

 

‘Adam,’ said Ben gently. ‘We’ve been looking for you everywhere.’

 

 

 

Adam swallowed and looked at his father miserably. ‘I ran away,’ he said. ‘Are you gonna tan me Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben shook his head. ‘We’ll talk about that later,’ he said. ‘Were you running to find me?’ Adam nodded his head. ‘But why did you hide?’ Ben asked. ‘We’ve been up and down this trail all morning.  You must have heard us.’  Adam nodded again. ‘Then why?’ asked Ben. ‘Why did you hide?’

 

 

 

Adam swallowed again. ‘I didn’t want to be found by anyone else,’ he said, stealing a glance at Frank. ‘I listened for your long footsteps like aunt Lottie said.’  He gave his father an earnest look. ‘I wanted you to find me Pa.  If someone else did then they’d take me back.’  He flung his arms around his father and held onto his neck desperately. ‘Please take me with you Pa,’ he begged. ‘Please don’t send me back.’

 

 

 

Ben looked at Frank over the top of his child’s head. ‘I can’t do it,’ he said in a low voice.

 

 

 

Frank nodded. ‘I know,’ he said. ‘I figured as much.’  He leant down and ruffled Adam’s dark hair. ‘I reckon you two need to be together no matter what eh?’

 

 

 

Adam drew back and stared into his father’s face. ‘Are you going away again Pa?’ he asked tentatively.

 

 

 

Ben nodded. ‘Yes,’ he said.

 

 

 

‘And am I going with you this time?’

 

 

 

Ben nodded again. ‘Yes Adam,’ he replied. ‘You’re going with me.  We’re going together like always.’

 

 

 

Adam clung to his father again, his little face wreathed in smiles.  Ben held the boy in his arms as he stood up and faced Frank. ‘I suppose you think I’m wrong to do this,’ he said.

 

 

 

Frank shrugged. ‘Ain’t no wrong nor right about it boy,’ he said. ‘You do what’s in your heart for you and that child.’  He held out a small bag. ‘Me and Lottie figured it would come to this.  Here’s his things … she packed em before I left this morning.’

 

 

 

Ben took the bag with a smiled. ‘Tell her …’

 

 

 

Frank held up his hand. ‘Ain’t no need to say anything son,’ he said. ‘You just look after that boy … and make sure you write and tell us how you’re both getting on, you hear?’

 

 

 

Ben shook the man’s hand. ‘I certainly will,’ he said. ‘I guess we two just belong together, eh Adam?’ he said to the boy on his shoulder.

 

 

 

‘I guess so Pa,’ said Adam happily.

 

 

 

Ben smiled at Frank again. ‘I know that I still have to follow my dream,’ he said. ‘But I know now that it’s not just mine … it belongs to Adam as well.  It was meant for more than just me … and Adam has to be there every part of the way.  It doesn’t matter if it takes longer … we’ll get there one day.  The important thing is that we’ll be together while we’re doing it.’

 

 

 

‘What about his education?’ asked Frank.

 

 

 

‘He’s a bright boy,’ said Ben, ruffling Adam’s hair.  I’ll teach him what I can and he’ll get the rest of his education when the time is right for him.’  He grinned. ‘Besides,’ he said. ‘Sometimes education can get in the way of thinking.’

 

 

 

Frank returned the grin. ‘You write!’ he said, pointing a finger at Ben as the other man lifted Adam up onto the wagon and climbed up himself.

 

 

 

‘I promise,’ said Ben.  He waved to Frank and urged Adam to do the same as he hitched up the reins.

 

 

 

‘Bye uncle Frank!’ called Adam happily and then turned to his father with a worried expression on his face. ‘Pa!  I didn’t bring my sticks!’ he said. ‘I need em to count them big numbers.’

 

 

 

Ben smiled down at his son as he drew him towards him on the seat. ‘We can gather more sticks on the way,’ he said gently. ‘There’s plenty of sticks out there Adam and plenty of places to look for them.  He grinned. ‘Ready?’

 

 

 

Adam nodded. ‘Ready,’ he said firmly.

 

 

 

‘Off we go then!’ they both shouted together as the wagon lurched forward.

 

 

 

‘Pa?’ Adam looked up at his father.

 

 

 

‘Yes son?’

 

 

 

‘Where are we going now?’

 

 

 

Ben scratched his head under his hat. ‘Well I’m not really sure Adam,’ he admitted. ‘Wherever the dream takes us, I suppose.’

 

 

 

‘What is the dream Pa?’

 

 

 

Ben shook his head again. ‘I don’t know son,’ he said. ‘We’ll know what it is when we find it though.’ He drew Adam close to his side as the wagon rolled slowly west down the trail.

The End