Summary:  in the last story in the series, Belle and Adam further develop their relationship, but most of the story is the mystery of Ben’s illness and how his sons react to it.
Rating: PG   Word count: 6,650

Truth Series:

Truth Be Told
Truth is What You Make It
Matchmaking and More Truth
Half-Truths and Omissions (by BettyHT)

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Half-Truths and Omissions

Chapter 1

Sitting with both hands cupping the drink on the table in front of him, Ben Cartwright had a smile. Paul Martin stopped next to the table and waited to be acknowledged.

“A little early for you, isn’t it?”

“I’m in town waiting for the stage and it’s going to be a few hours late. Couldn’t think of a better place to wait.”

“I saw the smile. Does that mean there’s been an improvement or some good news?”

As the smile disappeared, Ben got that look that said not to probe too much but did explain why he had been looking less worried earlier.

“I was reminiscing. Joe’s toast to Hoss at his wedding was one of the funniest I have ever heard and yet, one of the most touching.”

“Yes, it was. I didn’t know he had such writing skill.”

“Oh, he’s quite smart, but I learned later that he and Adam collaborated on it and worked on the acting together too to get it right.”

“Those two certainly have worked out to be quite a team.”

“They have. It is a relief to me to see them like that.”

“It was quite entertaining to hear the way he poked a little fun at Adam in that toast and the way Adam reacted as if he was getting shot in the heart. Everyone laughed so much.”

Both remembered the toast.

“Hoss, I’ve known you longer than most people here. I’ve known you almost twenty-seven years. Of course, I don’t remember much of those first years. For those who know me, I was drinking, but it wasn’t the kind of drinking you might be thinking. Well, as I got older, I learned a lot from my older brother, from both of my older brothers. Adam made me say that. My first memory of Hoss was that he was huge. He was bigger than Adam. I figured he must be getting all the food and that was why my oldest brother was so skinny and Hoss was as big or bigger than him. Of course, when I had trouble with anyone, all I ever had to say was something like ‘Hey, did you see that big guy over there. He’s my brother.’ Their faces would turn white and they’d leave me alone. Hoss would have protected me too. Just like Adam would have. Adam made me say that. Over the years, Hoss kept looking for the right kind of lady to make his queen here on the Ponderosa. She’d have to love it like he does. With a heart as big as the Ponderosa, he’s got a lot of love in him for the family and for this ranch, and he found that special lady. Well, now he’s a married man, and he’ll love his new wife as much as he loves his family. We love her too. She’s a Cartwright now. We’ll watch out for her like Hoss always watched out for us. That’s a promise from me and from Adam, and Adam didn’t make me say that. That’s from the heart, from both of us.”

People had laughed during the toast at the appropriate places, but at the end, it got a cheer. Joe took a bow, but Ben had been most pleased when all three brothers came together in a show of unity slapping shoulders and raising their glasses of punch high, clinking glasses together, and then draining their glasses before grinning at each other. It was clear to anyone who saw them that they loved each other and that Joe’s toast had been on the mark. They would watch out for each other. They were Cartwrights.

“So, you are going to do that consultation I recommended?” Paul noted the two large valises next to the table. “Are you planning to stay there a long time?”

“In answer to your first question, I am. As for the second, there are two reasons for the luggage. One is that I am planning to do a little visiting and perhaps some rest and relaxation with friends there. The other reason is perhaps a bit unusual.”

“Unusual?”

“For my birthday, the boys gave me two new pillows. I had been complaining that my neck was stiff some mornings. Well they got me these new goose down stuffed pillows. They are so wonderful and I don’t have a stiff neck any more in the morning. I decided to take them along on my trip. I have them packed in the second valise.”

“You have good boys, Ben.” Looking more serious, Paul looked at Ben and spoke very softly. “How about the breathing? Any improvement?”

Shrugging, Ben could only sigh and sip his drink. He coughed a little too. Paul looked even more concerned.

“That cough is worse. It sounds like you’re congested.”

“Some. It’s not too bad.”

“Ben, it’s a good thing you’re going to see those doctors. I can’t tell what you have, but I can tell it’s getting worse. I thought it was summer catarrh but now as the weather has cooled, you should have seen some improvement. Instead, you’re getting worse.”

“I know. Since my last birthday, I’m feeling my age. It seems every one of those years is catching up to me now and every day, it seems I can feel myself getting older.”

“Still so short of breath to feel weak at times?”

“More than ‘at times’ now especially with trouble sleeping through the night. I have to prop myself up to get any decent rest at all. I hope I can get some relief when I see these doctors you say have some expertise in these kinds of maladies.”

“They’ve written articles based on the most recent work of Charles Harrison Blackley. There’s none better with issues like this.”

“I hope so, but I thought you said his work was on summer catarrh.”

“It is, but I still think you may have something related to that. I simply don’t know what.”

“It’s not reassuring to have a mystery like that.”

“Have you told the boys yet?”

“I don’t want to put this on them right now. Adam has a new baby and Hoss has a new wife. They all have to work together to run the ranch while I’m gone. I don’t want to put a new worry on top of that. I’ll let them know when the doctors give me some good news to add to it.”

“They won’t like you keeping this a secret.”

“Paul, at this point, I wish I had never gotten that smallpox inoculation. I know many people were coming down with that disease, but I could have stayed home until the threat passed.”

“Ben, you know that might not have been enough. Adam was right to push you to be inoculated. All your boys are inoculated, and over the years, you have encouraged all your hands to do the same. Until those miners started breaking out, I had no idea you had never been inoculated until Adam told me and wanted my help in convincing you to have it.”

“I got sick. I hardly got to enjoy my birthday and then I was in bed for weeks. At least I had those new pillows to make me more comfortable. With the rash and the retching, it’s been difficult to keep it from my sons. I can relax about that now.”

“You couldn’t hide that cough though so I am betting that they know something is wrong but simply don’t know what it is. They will worry about you when you’re gone.”

“I told them my ‘cold’ would get better with the nice warm air in San Francisco especially as I wouldn’t have to do any work.”

“Have you had any more symptoms since you saw me last?”

Shrugging, Ben was reluctant to admit any more weakness but knew Paul would badger him until he got his answer. Ben wasn’t good at lying either. “Some headaches. They’re probably. because of all the coughing I do. There are times that I cough until I feel like I’m going to retch. I haven’t yet, but I feel like I might.”

“I can see your eyes are red and look like they’re watering too.”

“Probably because of the headache. Listen, I’m tired of talking of this. We’ve been through this over and over.”

“I’m sorry, Ben. I just wish I had answers for you.”

Nodding, Ben finished his drink and was relieved to hear what sounded like the stage arriving outside. It hadn’t been as late as he had been told. Paul picked up one of his bags as he grabbed the other. At the stage, he shook Paul’s hand and after getting his bags stowed, he climbed inside to take a seat. He needed to get out of town and away from prying eyes. One thing he had not told Paul was that he had been in town early to consult with the family attorney and make some last-minute adjustments to his will. He hadn’t updated his will since Joseph had become an adult. He made him equal to his brothers for inheritance provisions of the will although he kept Adam as executor of his last will and testament. He guessed Joe might not like that part but wanted his eldest to handle the legal issues. Of course, Hiram wanted to know why it was so urgent to make those changes so he had to give him a short version of the reasons.

With his cough, no one approached Ben as he traveled. Everyone gave him a wide berth which suited him well for he had no desire to talk with strangers. His mind was preoccupied with his own problems and although confident in his sons, with worry about what was happening on the ranch as he left his sons to handle everything with no direction from him.

The trip was longer than usual because of rain and wind. Because of weather conditions, Ben arrived in San Francisco feeling much worse than he had when he set out on his journey. The first doctor he consulted seemed not to take him at his word and assumed he had a simple cold from all the cold, damp weather. Ben proceeded to the next address Paul had given him and found a younger doctor willing to listen to him. In short order after telling the doctor what he had been suffering, he was escorted to a back room and told to undress for a warm bath. As he sat in the bath, a male nurse brought him a large tin cup of coffee and then began burning nitre paper in the room. Although Ben wasn’t sure what helped most, by the time the water cooled, he felt considerably better. The male nurse brought towels to him and a thick robe to wear. Then he escorted him back to the young doctor’s office.

“That was a sample of the treatment I think you need. After your brief recitation of your problems, I made a preliminary diagnosis and followed the recommendations of Henry Hyde Salter for a patient with your symptoms. Your obvious improvement with treatment seems to indicate that the diagnosis is correct. Sir, are you willing to let me treat you now?”

“What’s the diagnosis?”

“I believe you have asthma. It’s a lung or breathing condition that’s been described in medical research recently. It is most often set off by pollen so it’s not surprising that you were affected in summer and got worse in the fall. In addition to what I’ve already done, I’ll use hemp and ether as well. I think in a few weeks, you will feel normal again as long as we keep you indoors and away from pollen.”

“Feeling normal: now that is something I hoped to hear and feared I never would hear.”

“You’ll need to stay in your hotel room when you aren’t here. There’s a need to avoid things that could set off the condition again. Your schedule will be simple. You eat a good hearty breakfast and then come here for treatment. You will have a bath here so do not bathe at the hotel. After treatment here, you will go back to your hotel for a good dinner and then retire to your room for the night. You will get good nutrition and rest at the hotel and treatment for your condition here. That’s how you will get better.”

Smiling, Ben shook the young doctor’s hand and headed out the door. The young doctor smiled too. Such a distinguished patient would get him noticed in the city too. His thought was that this would work out well for both of them.

 

Chapter 2

On the Ponderosa, Adam and Belle were having a disagreement. There had been a number of those recently as both were being forced into major adjustments in their lives. Far more than he would ever be willing to admit, Adam craved love as intensely as he gave it. The lack of attention from his wife because of her being with child and then from childbearing followed by the time she had to spend caring for their daughter meant that he spent a lot of time alone in bed. He didn’t like it and it made him moody at best and surly at times. After long trips to the timber camps and lumber mill, he hoped to arrive at his home to his wife’s loving arms but usually found Belle busy with Mary Elizabeth. It wasn’t the kind of thing a man could discuss with anyone so he held in the frustration which only made it worse. When his father left on a business trip, the workload increased as did his snide comments and rude behavior. Belle finally exploded in anger at him.

“Why are you acting this way? You act as if you don’t like being a husband and father any more!”

“Husband? I feel more like a servant. As for a father, you act like I did my part and now I’m not necessary any more.”

Holding her baby, Belle knew her angry words had upset her daughter. Adam knew that he had upset both his wife and daughter and was afraid of what else he might say. He turned and left the house heading to his small stable and the work table there where he could spend hours if necessary. Normally Belle would have complained but she knew it was probably better if the two of them had a short time at least to cool their tempers before they attempted to discuss what had been aired in angry comments. Maria stood by silently not at all sure what to do because she had never heard the couple exchange anything approaching the angry words she had heard. After Adam left, she saw the tears on Belle’s cheeks. Stepping closer to the older woman, she only knew one thing to do.

“I’ll take the baby if you want to go after him.”

Looking at Maria, Belle wasn’t at all sure what to do. So many thoughts were racing through her mind, but when she saw Maria’s small smile of encouragement and her nod, she handed over her baby and sighed. With a show of confidence she did not feel, she headed out the door toward the stable but slowed her walk as soon as she got down the steps. Maria watched her go as she rocked the baby in her arms. As Belle neared the stable, Adam emerged headed back toward the house. Maria had to smile at that. The two stopped and stared at each other for a moment. Maria turned to take care of the baby assured that the couple would work out the issues between them. Outside, that was happening as she expected.

“I’m sorry. I took my worries out on you.”

“I accept your apology, but I think there may be some truth in what you said. I was starting to focus on the baby and the house. I was tired and I got a bit selfish. I am sorry about that.”

“I know this has all been hard on you. You had every right to be selfish.”

“Yes, it was hard on me, but Adam, we’re a team. I never had a right to be selfish. I should have talked with you, made time for you, and included you. I understand how you were feeling. We should talk now. You said you were worried? Is it all the work you have to do especially with your father away?”

“That’s part of it, but I’ve been worried about Pa for a while now.”

“For a while? You didn’t tell me.” Then Belle realized why. “Oh, well, we haven’t been talking much so I guess you didn’t have a chance to tell me. Now, you do. Why are you worried about Pa?”

“Well, you know he was coughing quite a lot and he kept saying it was a cold. Then he said it was summer catarrh. Well, as it got to fall, it seemed to be worse not better, but if I said anything, he said it was my imagination. Only, it wasn’t. I saw him talking to Paul a few times, but when I asked him if he talked to Paul about it, he denied it.”

“Maybe he and Paul talked about other things.”

“Sweetheart, if Paul heard that cough, he would have talked to Pa about it.”

“And Pa couldn’t hide that cough.”

“Exactly. So why was he hiding that he talked to Paul about it?”

“Did you talk to Paul?”

When Adam shrugged, Belle had her answer and an answer to any additional questions. Paul would never divulge any information about a patient unless the patient allowed it.

“Belle, I thought when I talked Pa into that smallpox inoculation, he would be protected, but it seems that ever since then, he’s been ill. He got sick from the inoculation which Paul said can happen, but then he developed that cough, and it has gotten worse. I’m worried about him. I think he may have gone off to San Francisco to see doctors or worse.”

“What could be worse?” Then she thought about that. “Oh, my!”

Belle wrapped her arms around Adam, and he relished the affection returning the hug. They stood that way for quite a long time.

“Have you talked with your brothers about this?”

“We’ve all been so busy.”

“Adam!”

“I know. I know. I should talk with them. I’ll see if I can talk with Hoss today.”

“And tonight, you and I will have a special dinner. And after Mary Elizabeth goes to sleep, you and I will find some time for each other. How does that sound, Mister?”

The dimpled grin said they were back on track. Adam tugged her toward the stable asking her if she had a few minutes for a little private time. It ended up being quite a bit more than a few minutes. With slightly mussed hair, she walked from the stable a half-hour later feeling loved and appreciated and knowing she had assured her husband of the same. She had told him though to go talk with Hoss. When Adam had a suspicion, it was always something that needed to be investigated. Once Hoss and Joe knew, the brothers could decide on a course of action.

Meanwhile, she felt better than she had in a long time with her own course of action clear again not having realized how she had let having a baby bring her down. Wondering how many other women fell into the same well, she was determined to talk to Lorry about it before she had her baby. In fact, she decided it wouldn’t be a bad idea to talk with Maria because she and Joe were going to be married. All that was missing was setting the date.

Watching his wife walk to the house, Adam once again knew how lucky he was. For a time, he had been so busy with work and Belle was so preoccupied that he had let his pessimism color his thoughts too much. It was a weakness he needed to fight against, but Belle understood that about him and she had helped him once more to banish it at least in relation to the two of them. However he still had that feeling about his father and knew he needed to talk to his brothers about it to see what they thought. Hoss was the one he needed to consult first. Joe would deny immediately that there was anything wrong. He was always in denial that anything bad could happen to their father because life without Ben Cartwright was unthinkable to him. Adam knew that one day that was going to be a problem because his youngest brother was going to be devastated when the inevitable happened, but he hoped it wasn’t going to be anytime soon. Hoss wasn’t so sure he had much to go on either when he first talked to him about it though.

“So, what you got is Pa talked to Paul but told you he didn’t and Pa coughs? He smokes, ya know. Seems like a lot of men who smoke, cough.”

When Adam was quiet and looked away, Hoss knew his mind was on their father. Thinking about what Adam had said and what he had not said, Hoss suspected Adam had been worrying about this for quite a while probably.

“Ya got a gut feeling ’bout this, don’t you?”

“I’m not used to Pa avoiding answering my questions the way he has been. Even when I tried to talk to him about what he was going to be doing in San Francisco, he was evasive. I couldn’t get him to tell me more than some general idea. It was like he was hiding something.”

“Maybe he was going to see a woman and don’t want us to know.”

The upturned lip and frown let Hoss know his humor was not appreciated.

“Yeah, he’d a been in a better mood ifn that was what he was up to doing. Ya know, you may be right, but what kin we do ’bout it? We’re so busy ’round here, I don’t know who could go off to see how he’s doing. I shur can’t be gone with Lorry so far along. She’s gonna be having that baby in a month or less.”

“Joe won’t leave either. He and Maria are making plans.”

“Well, that means it’s you or nobody.”

From Adam’s expression, Hoss could see how torn he was. Clearly there was something going on with him and Belle too because he didn’t want to leave. Hoss decided to open up another topic of conversation concerning something that had been bothering him.

“How do you do it, Adam? I mean, it’s so hard being next to Lorry and not being able to, well, you know, get close to her. Now the doc says that it’s gonna be a long while after the baby too. I hafta tell ya, it’s making us a bit testy with each other. How did you and Belle handle that?”

Looking down, Adam chuckled but without mirth. “Hoss, not well, not well at all. I have to tell you, we should have talked about it a lot sooner than we did. Start talking to Lorry about how it makes you feel. I bet she has a lot of the same feelings. The two of you can probably work out ways to get through it together.”

That was all it took for Hoss to understand. Both Adam and Belle tended to be rather self-sufficient or tried to be. They had not likely turned to each other for support for what they saw as weakness in themselves. As a result, they had both suffered more than they should, but as honest as Adam was, he was willing to let Hoss learn from his error.

“I appreciate you telling me that. I guess me and Lorry will be talking tonight.” With that understood, Hoss thought he proceed. “Maybe ifn you talked to Belle about this, she wouldn’t mind you being gone for a bit to check up on Pa to see if he was all right.”

“You and Joe would be even busier.”

“Not if you put Candy in charge of your stuff. He’s pretty smart, you know. He could handle it while you’re gone ifn you gave him good instructions.”

“A short time ago, you didn’t think I had any evidence that Pa was sick, and now you’re making all the arrangements for me to go see how he is. What happened?”

“I know you didn’t want to admit you was going by a gut feeling, but ya are. I never doubt a gut feeling by a Cartwright. I think it’s in our bones. We feel when something is wrong with one of us. The more you talked, the more I felt it too. Now we gotta tell Joe and then you get Candy all set and talk to Belle and then you kin go.”

“When did you get to be the older brother, anyway?”

Laughing, Hoss slapped Adam on the shoulder. “Oh, I’ve had a little practice now and then.”

About then, Candy and Joe rode into the yard. It took some hard talking and explaining, but an hour later, all four men agreed. Joe had been understandably upset, but with his brothers and Candy talking about their concerns, he knew too something was wrong. At times like these, it was reassuring to know his brothers had a plan. Adam was going to talk to Belle and in a few days, the plan was that he would be heading to San Francisco to check on the patriarch of the Ponderosa.

 

Chapter 3

It was difficult to determine who was more frustrated, disappointed, and confused. The young doctor had been so sure of his diagnosis especially after treatment had confirmed what he suspected. Ben had been sure too that the doctor was on the right track and horribly upset to wake in the morning more congested than ever and hardly able to. breathe. He had difficulty even getting dressed. When he got to the clinic, he wanted the treatment but also expected the doctor to update his diagnosis by further evaluation.

“Mister Cartwright, I can try to do that. This has me befuddled. However, I will do as you ask. We have a small number of beds here for patients to spend the night for observation. I want you to do that. You can have another of these treatments before you retire for the night. We can monitor all of what you eat. You will be indoors at all times from this point on.”

“I would like my clothing and other items from the hotel.”

“We can do that. Should we check you out of your room?”

“How long will I be staying here?”

“It depends, but I would think two days at least for a comprehensive evaluation.”

“Then, yes.”

“We will have to launder all of your clothing and wash or wipe down all of your items to be sure there is no offending pollen on them that may have caused this relapse.”

“I understand, but can’t pollen be seen?”

“Some can, but much can’t be seen except in larger quantities. Small amounts can cause problems but can’t be easily seen. We will wash or wipe everything down as a precaution.”

By late that afternoon, Ben was feeling quite a bit better again. He had all of possessions in a room and had a good dinner provided by the staff. The room was comfortable even if the window wouldn’t open. He had a couple of lamps so he settled into the comfortable chair to read before retiring for the night. All in all, he was quite relaxed and comfortable.

The next morning, Ben was even more upset than he had been the previous day with his breathing labored and his general feeling of weakness. The doctor told him not to be discouraged but only to realize they needed to find what was the complicated reasons for his difficulties before he died of them.

“Sir, if this gets much worse, I don’t know what we can do to keep you breathing.”

That was sobering for Ben who had nearly panicked in the early morning when he had so much trouble getting any air into his lungs. Then he had told himself not to be so overly dramatic thinking he was overdoing it being so afraid. When the doctor echoed his own thoughts though, he realized he had not overreacted. This was a circumstance in which he needed to get to the solution or he could die.

At his hotel, Adam was having his own experience with not being able to catch his breath, but his issue was being so angry and yelling far too much.

“I’m sorry, but I have traveled non-stop from Nevada to check on my father only to find him apparently disappeared from your hotel with no idea where he has gone except some men in white coats came here and took his things telling you he would not be back and to put the charges on the Ponderosa account. Is that right?”

Wincing under the hostile stare that Adam could deliver with such precision, the man agreed.

“And you assumed they were some wealthy man’s servants?”

“They could have been medical personnel?”

“Was there some reason you think my father needed medical help?”

“He did seem to be congested?”

“Like in a cold?”

“Ah, no worse than that. And, he, ah, asked the concierge for recommendations for doctors near here.”

“But you didn’t recognize the men who came here to get his things?”

“No, Mister Cartwright, but they did it all in the light of day and all openly. Surely that supports the idea that they meant no harm.”

“Are you familiar with the idiom “hide in plain sight” or perhaps that it is easier to accomplish something in front of the enemy rather than trying to deceive.”

“You think something bad has happened to your father and we were complicit by failing to stop it?”

“That remains to be seen, but it certainly seems to be a possibility. I’ll check in now, and don’t let anyone come and take my things.”

An angry Adam Cartwright was quite intimidating. The staff was most accommodating at that point. There were two things Adam set out to do after getting his things into a room. First, he sent a telegram to his family letting them know Ben was missing. Then he set out to find his missing father. When Hoss and Joe arrived a day and a half later, Adam was frustrated and far more worried. There was no clue to their father’s whereabouts.

“There has been no ransom note, and not a single report of anything that will give us a hint as to where to look.”

“What about the men who took his things? If you track them down, you should find Pa.”

“Joe, the description was two men of average height, brown hair, medium size, and wearing white coats. How exactly should I have tracked them down?”

“Well, there has to be something we can do. Maybe we could put up wanted posters or put an ad in the papers for his safe return.”

Hoss started laughing then which was a welcome relief for him as Adam shook his head. Both of them could only imagine how their father would react to either of those methods being used. Joe didn’t need to hear their answer. Soon, all three were engaged in what Adam had been doing alone, a fruitless search for their missing father.

After three days of that, the three returned to Adam’s room and were exhausted. The emotional and mental toll of the failed search was greater than the physical cost but they all combined to exact a major price. Joe sprawled in a chair as Adam draped himself and his long legs over the small divan and Hoss collapsed across the bed. After a few minutes, Joe had an announcement.

“I’m going to my room to sleep a little before dinner. We’re not going to get anything done here, and I can’t sleep comfortably in this chair.”

A slight wave from Adam and a grunt from Hoss was all he got in response. It was enough. As soon as he was out of the room, Joe’s energy level perked up and he rushed down the hall and down the stairs. An hour later with his errand completed, he was back in his room and resting on his bed when Hoss knocked on the door announcing that he and Adam were ready to go to dinner.

“Let me freshen up, and I’ll be right with you.”

At dinner with his brothers, Joe never mentioned what he had done. By the next day, it was all too obvious though and he had to admit it. Many people came up to them and expressed their concern over the missing head of the Cartwright clan. When they did so, Adam and Hoss looked to Joe who did his best version of looking innocent, but at the first chance to be somewhere private, both older brothers turned on the youngest.

“What did you do?”

“I’ve been with you and Hoss. I did what you did.”

“No, yesterday when you said you were going to your room. Obviously, you did something else. It’s the only time except when we turn in for the night that you aren’t with us.”

“Oh, then, well, I may have taken a little walk.”

“Where to, little brother? Adam done asked you a question, and I’d like to hear that answer and no hemming and hawing about it neither.”

“I put an ad in the paper.”

“You did what?”

“I put an ad in the paper and told Pa we were looking for him and where he could find us.”

“Joe every crackpot in town will be lining up outside our rooms trying to get money from us for bogus information.”

“Yeah, what Adam said.”

“Well, one of them might have information we can use.”

“And how exactly are we going to know that?”

“Uh, well I got them there. I guess it’ll be up to you to figure out that part.”

Making a sound of disgust, Adam turned to head back to the hotel. Hoss shook his head and followed with Joe coming up behind him. As predicted, there were a number of people at the hotel insisting they had information and only needed a small amount of cash to be persuaded to share it. However, finding the legitimate sources was far easier than Adam expected. Two men in white coats offered the information with a request for payment. With Hoss along and firearms at their sides, Adam felt comfortable going with the two men as they suggested. A short time later, they were at a small clinic and were ushered in and told to wait in the outer area. A few minutes went by and then they heard the voice that melted their worries away and replaced it with irritation.

“What in tarnation are you boys doing here?”

All three were going to speak when Adam asserted his oldest brother privileges.

“We are not ‘boys’ and what the hell are you doing here when you didn’t let us know at all where you were?”

At that point, Ben’s doctor entered the outer area intent on protecting his patient and not at all pleased to find uninvited visitors.

“Ben, you were instructed to stay in the protected areas. Why are you out here with these possibly contaminated men? You are much too ill to take such risks.”

“Contaminated?”

“Ill?”

“Risks?”

The chorus of questions meant Ben was going to have to do a lot of explaining and yet had to answer his doctor as well as address Adam’s first question. First though, he began to cough so much that he needed two sons to help him stand. The doctor called for assistance.

“No, doctor, we got him. Where can we take our Pa and find out what’s been going on here?”

Surprised, the doctor pointed to a door and escorted the four to a room. There he had Ben lay down until the coughing ceased. Then he began a lengthy explanation. The gist of it was that Ben was getting worse. During the day with treatment, his cough was less, but each night, he got worse and overall, he was getting weaker. Interspersed with that was the doctor’s theory of what was wrong, but Adam and Joe immediately zeroed in on what they thought was obvious.

“What’s in his room at night that could be causing a problem?”

“It hardly seems it could be this pollen thing. I think Adam is more likely on the right track. It makes more sense that it’s something in his room at night.”

The doctor was defensive. “He had the same problem in his room at the hotel so it cannot be that.”

Adam and Joe were not to be deterred.

“What does he have here that he had there too?”

“Adam, they washed all my clothing and wiped down my boots, belts, and luggage. I can’t see that it could be anything like that.”

“Pa, is there anything they didn’t wash or wipe down?”

“Joe, everything was cleaned except those new pillows you boys got for me, and they have been wonderful in easing my sleep at night. They were brand new so hardly needed washing.”

“I wonder if that’s it, Pa.”

“Joe, they’re just pillows.”

“Pa, I think Joe may be onto something. If this doctor thinks you could be sick because of pollen, why couldn’t you be sick because of pillows?”

“Because my treatment is based on scientific research and not some wild theory that cowboys have come up with nothing at all to support it. Now this is ridiculous. It’s time for your father to have another treatment to ease his breathing.”

“Pa, do you want to do that?”

“Yes, Hoss, I do.”

“Do you want to go with us when it’s done?”

“Yes, Hoss, I do.”

The doctor was incensed, but there was nothing he could do. Ben paid his bill and left with his sons who weren’t as confident as they acted. However, they made sure Ben’s room was as clean as they could make it and without the offending pillows. Then they agreed they would take turns checking on him during the night. In the morning, there were smiles all around as Ben reported it was the best he had felt in weeks.

“I still feel a little congested, but it isn’t much. I probably need a little time to recover from what happened. It amazes me that my three, ah, sons were so much better at taking care of this than the doctors were.”

“We could have helped you a lot sooner, Pa, if you had told us what was wrong before you left. Adam and Joe didn’t take long to figure out what the problem might be once they knew you got worse every night.”

“Yeah, me and Hoss already told Adam we didn’t like that he was worried about you and didn’t tell us until you were gone. There are too many times when somebody keeps secrets that shouldn’t be kept. I think it’s time we all make a pledge.”

“What kind of pledge, son?”

“I think Joe thinks that the half-truths we tell sometimes and the lies we tell by omission need to end. We need to be honest with each other.”

“Yeah, what Adam said.”

“I like it too, Pa.”

“I can’t argue with my three sons. Agreed.”

 

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Ben Cartwright, Hoss Cartwright, illness, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright