Summary: Growing up isn’t easy. Two vignettes, two times in Joe’s life when he is forced to mature—and he’s all on his own. Or is he? 1,250 words, rated T
Also available in eBook format — please pm me for that.
My Story Index and reading order for the Art-Universe
A Man of Sixteen
Joe was sixteen, and he was a grown up man.
Sheriff Roy Coffee had asked him to be deputy for one day, and Joe had exceeded all expectations. He had patrolled the streets with Roy, separated brawling drunks, chased a twelve year old shoplifter and rescued Miss Abigail’s cat from a tree.
He had proven he was a man. Not a boy anymore, no matter what his brothers might think.
No one had expected the bank robbery that day. No one expected bank robberies any day, but they happened from time to time, and one had happened on this very day—the day Joe Cartwright had been deputy.
And even though Joe had already proven he was a man, no one had expected the youngest Cartwright to stay so cool in the thick of action. But Joe had. He had spotted the robber through the front window of the First International Bank, and he had calmly waited for him to emerge from the building, right in the middle of C-street.
Calm and composed as a man.
When the robber had left the bank Joe had called him out, had urged him to give up. Calmly, controlled. Grown up. But the robber had underestimated Joe, and he had drawn his gun.
Joe was sixteen, but he had two bigger brothers, and his big brothers had shown him how to shoot. And how to draw. Fast.
The two shots had sounded like one, and only one shooter had been lying in the dust after the crash had faded away.
Joe was sixteen, and he was a man. A hero actually, that was what the sheriff had said, and Joe had smiled broadly, and then he secretly had sent a note to the undertaker, saying that he would pay for the bank-robber’s funeral.
The “ladies” from the saloon had bought him a beer and a whiskey and another beer, and had invited him “upstairs”, but he had declined the offer. A man knew when it was time to get home, Adam always said, and Joe was a man, and he suddenly had seen the truth in his brother’s words, clearer than ever.
Hop Sing had made a special supper for the hero, and Pa had opened a bottle of wine. The wine had tasted sour and somehow funny, but a man drank wine at supper, and Joe was a man.
Joe was sixteen, and he was a man, but even a man had to go to bed sometimes, especially after a day of heroism. When he had excused himself, Hoss had slapped him on his shoulder, and Pa had said how proud he was of his youngest but now finally grown up son.
Adam had stayed silent, and Joe was grateful for that. And when Adam entered a sleepless Joe’s room at midnight, reached out for him, whispering, “Hey, little buddy,” Joe made a dash at his big brother, buried his face in Adam’s shoulder and wept.
Joe was sixteen, and he was a man. He had never thought growing up could be so painful.
***
With many thanks to Sklamb for the beta.
Both vignettes were perfect – how I always thought Adam and Joe should be portrayed. Somehow, Adam seemed to know more often than not just when his baby brother needed him.. and even absent, hes there for him still.
This is a great story. You can tell that all the interaction Joe had with Adam while growing up has paid off in the end. The voice of elder brother Adam is still in his brain. Loved this thanks
I’m baaack! I felt like spending a bit of time with your lovely stories this afternoon and this one just happened to pop up in the random story list. I keep coming back to the same reason to love this… he just knew what to do, better than even Ben himself. Adam always knew.
great story, Adam never needed many words. he always seem to know what to say and when to say it. Joe and Adam don’t always see eye to eye, but I thing Adam had a great impacted on Joe’s life
Thank you, chrish!
I think Adam and Joe got on much better than some fanfiction writers seem to think. Or it’s just my need for harmony in the world… But I like portraying them as loving, respectful of one another brothers.
Another one I haven’t read in a while. Adam didn’t need many words to get his point across, did he? Somehow he always knew what to say, and what *not* to say better than anyone else.
No, Adam didn’t need many words. He never did, his eyes always spoke volumes and his eyebrows, and that tiny twitch of his mouth. Not that, if necessary, he couldn’t just have said it all in about two million perfectly set words either. But he knew when there were little words needed.
One of the many reasons we love him so.
Thank you so much, Cheaux! I’m glad you liked it (them). I always am afraid I cannot do Joe justice, and so praise from a Joe-gal makes me twice as happy!
Both stories were great, but the first really stood out for me. Repetitive phrases can be distracting, but not here; here they created conflict, tension, and impact. Loved it!
I thought I had read all of your stories, but upon checking out People are Talking… I found a new one. At least new to me.
I can see Joe’s day playing out in my mind’s eye and I can truly see Adam there at the end. Wonderful vignette!
And the second vignette… “No, only you can.” Truer words were never spoken, yet he needed just that little push to realize what he really wanted.
Truly, you didn’t know this one? Well, these two. 🙂
Both vignettes were written for prompts, the first had to include “Joe buried his face in Adam’s shoulder and wept” and the second had to include “the day has come”. I remember I didn’t want to make the first story too sappy, that was what set the tone of the story.
The second was written for a dear friend, who would full-heartedly agree with your comment.
Thanks a lot for trying these old ones and for replying so kindly!
Yeah, that’s big brother Adam. The power of his silent attendance. I love him for that.
I’ll never understand why he left the Ponderosa.
Thank you for the story.
If you ask yourself why Adam left, I recommend reading “The End” 🙂 – at least that’s my explanation. Glad you found Adam true to himself here. I wonder what kind of man Joe would have become without older brother Adam? I do think he had a great impact on Joe’s life.
Thanks a lot for reading, Silver, and for replying. It’s greatly appreciated!
Love this! Wish I could say more, but for right now, just….love it! 🙂
My, how did you dig this one out? 🙂 So glad you did, though! Thanks a lot for trying it (again) and for commenting!