Summary: It’s the end. The end of everything–or is it? No KAOS in this story. Honestly!
700 words, rated K
My Story Index and reading order for the Art-Universe
The End
“It’s the end of the family,” Joe cries, and you cringe.
Of course, for Joe it must feel like that. For Joe, this family has always consisted of Pa, and Hoss, and Joe—and you, Adam, for as long as he can remember. He doesn’t know a family can be a father and two sons, or even a father and only one son. He will learn that in time, you’re sure.
But anyway, you’re leaving the Ponderosa, not the family; and you hope that one day Joe will understand that you‘re taking the family with you, in your heart, wherever you go. They’re all there, Pa, Hoss, and Joe, too, whether you’re on the Peloponnese or in Trafalgar Square.
Joe might think you’re abandoning the family, but you’re only abandoning the Ponderosa—and the Ponderosa isn’t a part of the family, nor is the family a part of the Ponderosa.
Maybe Joe will realise that some time, too.
***
“It’s the end of an era,” Pa proclaims, and you barely resist the urge to guffaw.
How very Ben Cartwright to put it like that. An era, no less. Nothing is ever smaller than gargantuan, nothing ever less than Very Important. Significant. Greater than life. Like Ben Cartwright Himself.
If he’d give his sons a bit more importance, a bit more responsibility for the significant…. If he’d give a damn for the ideas the college educated brains of his firstborn produced….
No, it wouldn’t change anything. The Ponderosa still wouldn’t satisfy the needs of someone with an ever-inquiring, ever-learning mind, for someone who is yearning for stimulation.
In time, perhaps, Pa will realise that you can bequeath land, cattle, money, barrel chests and dark booming voices—but not dreams. Dreams are individual, and everyone needs to follow his very own. Even though one doesn’t have to be a genius to make out this simple truth, it took you several years to understand that having a different dream from your father’s is not betrayal.
You hope that Pa will forgive you figuring it out.
***
“It’s the end of you hurtin’,” says Hoss, and like so many times before, you just want to embrace him for that and cry on his shoulder like a little child.
Of course, Adam Cartwright Doesn’t Do such a thing and so you limit yourself to squeezing your brother’s shoulder.
And Hoss says, “There, there, brother” and pulls you into the embrace you couldn’t initiate, presses your face into his shoulder, and gives you enough time to conjure up an embarrassed face before he sets you free.
Free. You know he wants to have you stay, but he also understands that you have to go. What he doesn’t see is that living on the Ponderosa wasn’t hurting you all the time. You’ve been happy here for a very long time, you’re still happy here every once in a while. But over the past years, boredom, tristesse and longing for more have overshadowed the width, the quiet, and the beauty of nature.
***
You’ve said your good-byes, you’ve taken your horse out of the old barn for one last time, you’ve turned around and waved back as you were riding away, for as long as you could see them standing there: your family before the ranch house that had been your home for so many years.
Now there’s only the road before you, your dream, your uncertain future—and it strikes you nearly violently: this isn’t the end.
This is a fresh start, the beginning of the rest of your life.
And you laugh.
__________
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
~ Abraham Lincoln
***fin***
With many thanks to Sklamb, for her considerate beta-reading.
***
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
Another of your extremely well written stories. All of your stories make me pause and think about the implications of events. And so many are bittersweet. THANKS!
Brava! (again)
A short but impactful piece! It might be an end for the family, but gor Adam it’s just the beginning.
Excellent craftsmanship, especially with that tricky second-person viewpoint. You succeeded in conveying all the emotion usually reserved for first-person, and wonderful emotions they were, too!
Wouw this one caught me off guard. Beautifull said and so tue. The part about Hoss was making me cry. He understood Adam sooooo well. It makes the parting almost bearable………. almost.
Each reaction was so true but I have to say I loved Hoss’ the best, after I dried my eyes. It’s hard to say good-bye, but then, it becomes hello to the new adventure. Loved the quote at the end. So true.
Wonderful with so much emotion packed into one scene, and that part with Hoss made me tear up. It seemed so perfect. Yes, Adam’s spirit had to roam so the Ponderosa wasn’t big enough for him. Great expression of that here.
I think this is a brilliant piece of writing, Faust. You captured all of Adam’s conflicting emotions about leaving in the perfect voice. I loved it. 🙂
I think is a brilliant piece of writing, Faust. You captured all of Adam’s conflicting emotions about leaving in the perfect voice. I loved it. 🙂
Thank you, JC! I remember writing this, in one go (in the tub–I often do that, it’s very inspirational). It was one of the rare moments when you have a topic, an atmosphere, and a voice–and everything else just evolves from that.
I’m very happy that you enjoyed reading it so much!
Adam’s wrong – the Ponderosa is part of the family and the family is part of the Ponderosa. Its a dream – just not Adam’s dream or that it doesn’t have a hold on him because he wants more than what the land represents. Joe was born on the land and is part of it and it him. If that makes any sense……Adam wants the world. Joe is home and he knows it.
Obviously Joe’s far more rooted in the land than Adam, and far more bound to it. Adam has learned that “home” is a state of mind not a physical place, perhaps out of necessity.
But perhaps that’s the general difference: Joe’s rooted in the physical, Adam in the spiritual 8for lack of a better word).
Hmm. I’ve gotta think about this. Thanks for prompting me into it. And for reading and replying, of course!
This one was written on New Year’s Eve, after a truly horrific year that ended with some exceptionally good news. In the tub, no less. 🙂 (BTW, I’m still amazed the second person POV worked so well, for it is a cumbersome POV, and easily annoying.)
I’m glad you think everyone’s reaction was in character. Thank you so much for telling me!
A wonderful story!!! Yeah, I can see each reacting as your words painted.