Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
* Day 1 *

Summary: The family had to rearrange the allocation of their work. Therefore, Joe had to ride out on his own. Did he manage his work?

Rating:  G
Word Count:  750

Late Return

I was already on my way to bed when I heard a rider coming in. And as I peaked out through the window, I saw Cochiese’s tail disappear in the barn.

In our family, by leading this ranch, it isn’t exceptional to not see each other for a couple days. So a reunion normally isn’t a big thing. Nevertheless, today was different.

I pulled up my trousers again and went down to the kitchen. Some stew was left from dinner. It wasn’t hot anymore but still warm. I brew fresh coffee and poured it into the coffeepot right when the front door opened.

By only listening to the steps I can tell you which ranch hand or family member walks in. Therefore I immediately knew something wasn’t right when I heard the sound of my little brother’s steps.

“Joe?”

Silence, but I could hear a heavy sight escape his lips.

I stepped around the corner to get him into my view. Hard to describe the feeling that came up on me as my eyes run over my kid brother.

He was dirty, well, I did expect that, but he also was worn out. And when I say worn out, I don’t mean worn out like after one day of hard work. Every man in this house was used to that but Joe looked worn out like after three weeks in hell.

His eyes lay deep in his socket, rounded by dark circles. He had lost weight.

“Joe? I made fresh coffee, you like some? And there’s as well leftover from dinner.”

Our eyes met for a moment.

“Yeah, coffee sounds good.” he agreed with a raspy voice.

I turned around, placed the coffeepot on the table and made my way back to the kitchen to get the stew.

Although Joe was in my back I still was aware of his limping and unsure gait. Sympathy rose in my stomach. I felt so sorry for that situation.

Joe sat down and poured himself a cup of coffee. I could see his tortured hands. It had been cold during last week and without wearing gloves at work a cowboy can easily ruin his hands. Joe sat at the table, motionless starring at the cup in front of him.

“How has everything gone?” I asked to break the silence.

“Hmmm”, was the only answer I got.

I knew I mustn’t push him so I sipped at my coffee and waited. Joe’s cup never left the table. Joe never looked up either.

“Hoss?”

Our middle brother had fallen ill three weeks ago. Therefore we had to mix up our plans and rearrange all our duties. That’s the reason we had not ridden out as a family to move the cattle from the high pasture down to Sully Springs but Joe only.

“He’s on the mend. Goes to bed early these days. Doc was here several times two weeks ago when the fever was high. Hoss is still weak but he’s looking forward to see you. “

“Good to hear he’ll be fine.”

We both fell silent again.

Joe still hadn’t had a sip of his coffee when I finished my cup a few minutes later.

“Joe?”

I waited until he watched me.

“You better go to sleep.”

“Hmmm”, was his respond again.

Joe slowly rose from the chair and made his way to the stairs. At the bottom step he only turned half around and murmured, “Pa?”

“He left this morning for the cattle meeting in Sacramento. Will take a couple days till he’s back here. “

I knew this wasn’t the answer he was hoping for and his hanging shoulders seemed to drop even more at my words.

“Joe? Anything I can do for you?”

His answer didn’t come strait but finally he responded, “No. No, Adam.”
Talking more to himself than to me he added, “I don’t know what day of the month it is! … I don’t know anything.”

And he made his way up the stairs.

On the first landing he stopped once more. I assumed to catch his breath but this time he turned fully around and he even lifted his head a bit.

“Adam?”

“Yah?”

“Thank you.”

We both knew what he was talking about.

“You’re welcome, Joe. Good to have you back here again.”

And I honestly meant every word I said.

 

Link to the 2019 Advent Calendar – December 2nd:

The Wrangler – by Questfan