The Day Has Come
So, Joe thought, finally the day has come that my family has decided to drag me back home.
He wasn’t surprised. It had been—how long?—a week or more since he had started to spend first his nights, then even the days as well in the saloon; gambling, drinking, brawling, generally throwing his life away.
Joe emitted a sharp snort. Who cares? Well, apparently his family did.
Another snort. And then a duck of the head. Of course they did. He knew that. They really did. They had given him time, time to come to terms with…. No, he didn’t want to think about it. He didn’t.
He didn’t.
Somehow he had already forgotten why he had come to the saloon in the first place. It didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was that while he gambled, drank, brawled and wasted his life, he didn’t have to remember it.
Obviously his family had decided that they had given him enough time. That he had to start remembering again. That was what they always did, making each other remember, talk about it, get it out of the system, talking, talking, talking.
Joe didn’t want to talk. He wanted to gamble, drink, brawl, waste his life. Well, he didn’t really wanted to waste his life, but somehow this seemed to be a package deal.
And now his family had sent someone to make him stop. Just as it had been to be expected. The only surprising thing was that Adam of all people was here to bring Joe back onto track.
Adam. Out of nowhere he suddenly stood next to Joe’s chair, unmoving, silently watching his brother downing another beer.
“Go away,” Joe slurred.
Adam crossed his arms.
“I don’t need you.” Joe knew he sounded like a child, and maybe he was a child right now. Well, what the heck? All right, then he was a child. He could be a child whenever he wanted to be one, right? Right?
Adam tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. High.
“You—” Joe started to yell but then choked and continued softly, “You can’t save me.”
“No,” Adam’s voice was barely audible. “Only you can do that.”
***
Joe didn’t know when or how exactly he had made his way home. Adam hadn’t said another word, and eventually had turned and slowly walked out of the saloon. He hadn’t even looked back over his shoulder when he had asked, “Are you coming?”
Joe must have stood up and left the saloon; must have mounted his horse and he must have ridden home.
He didn’t bother to tend to Cochise; he was far too tired and unsteady, and when he entered the house he gratefully let himself fall into Hoss’ strong arms.
Pa practically jumped from his chair, and both he and Hoss settled Joe onto the settee.
“Get some coffee, Hoss,” Joe heard his father ordering, and then Pa was at his side, reaching out for him. Joe let his heavy head fall on Pa’s shoulder.
“Pa,” he mumbled into the warmth that had been there all his life. “I don’t want to talk about it. Not now, please.”
“It’s all right, it’s all right.” Pa’s hand went up and down Joe’s back. “I’m just glad you came home.”
“Adam made me, Pa.”
Pa started. He leaned back, considered Joe’s face. “Joe…Adam is in Europe, he’s been there for years.”
“Oh…yeah…he is.” Joe accepted a mug of coffee from Hoss and gave his father and his brother a crocked half smile that reminded even himself of Adam.
You can’t save me, he heard in his head, and then the soft reply, no, only you can do that.
Somehow this seemed even more true now. Maybe, Joe thought, finally the day has come to stop being a child.
And just like that, he stopped.
*** fin ***
With many thanks to Sklamb, for the beta.
***
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
My Story Index
Lovely story filled with all the emotions of growing up. He’s lucky he had older brothers to support and comfort him throughout his life.
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!