Chapter 2

For the next few days after the incident they have became estranged from each other

Amelia wouldn’t go near him or even talk to him. She was still shaken about the incident but she was mostly afraid of being hurt by Joe again.

She wondered if their bond would ever be the same again. She already forgiven Joe but couldn’t bring herself to tell him because she was afraid of him and it scared her.

She had never seen her brother act like he did that night and it scared her especially when he had slapped her. None of her brothers had ever hit her (unless they tanned her for misbehaving) but other than that they have never hit her.

Joe on the other hand became more and more consumed with guilt especially with his estranged relationship with his sister. He could still remember hearing her tell Hoss and Adam that she hated him. Hearing her say those words haunted him every night since the incident.

He tried to talk to her to apologize but she wouldn’t hear of it. Understanding that she needs more time Joe decides to respect her wishes and give her space even though it was killing him that she was afraid of him.

He wanted nothing more than to go back to the old relationship he had with his sister; back to the times where he was her hero and she trusted him. How they would spend countless time together whether it would be working or going fishing.

Since neither of them was talking to each other it was causing a rift between them which worried the family.

One afternoon Ben, Adam and Hoss were sitting at the table eating lunch while Joe was gone to move the herd of cattle from the lower pasture to the upper pasture and Amelia was washing the smoke house.

“What do you suppose we should do about Joe and Amelia, Pa?” asked Hoss. Ben shakes his head.

“I don’t know all I know is that they never had a rift like this before. Usually when they get in a spat they make it right afterwards” observed Ben.

“Do you think they’re gonna mend it?” asked Adam curiously. “I’m sure they will if they stop avoiding each other” said Ben.

“If you ask me them two are the most stubbornness people I know” stated Hoss.

“They are Cartwright’s after all” added Adam.

Ben and his sons laugh and finish eating their lunch.

Since Ben had no idea on what to do about the situation, Adam and Hoss took it upon themselves to talk to their sister into forgiving Joe.

They walk out of the house across the yard to the smoke house where Amelia was finishing washing it.

“Hey little sister you’re doing a mighty fine job ain’t she Adam” said Hoss pleasantly.

Adam nods.  Amelia looks at them suspiciously “I suppose you didn’t come all the way from the house just to compliment my work”

“Smart girl our sister is” commented Adam.

“Stop flattering me and tell me what you want?” asked Amelia annoyed.

“We just want you to forgive Joe” said Hoss. “I can’t” said Amelia.

“Why can’t you?” asked Adam. “I just can’t ok” said Amelia.

“Amelia, Joe didn’t mean to hurt you” said Hoss. “It’s tearing him up that his little sister is afraid of him” added Adam.

“I’m not afraid of Joe” declared Amelia. “Then why can’t you forgive him?” asked Adam. “I already forgiven him” said Amelia. “Did you tell him that you forgive him?” asked Adam. Amelia shakes her head.

“How come, don’t you realize that he is walking around thinking that you hate him? He heard you say that you hate him” said Adam.

“He did” said Amelia surprise and feeling guilty. “I didn’t mean it I was just angry and upset. I could never hate him anymore than I could hate you and Hoss”

“We know that but sweetheart Joe doesn’t know that. He is consumed with guilt for what he did and he hates himself for it” said Hoss.

“The two of you need to clear the air” said Adam. “The sooner the better otherwise you are gonna be even more estranged from each other” said Hoss.

“You don’t want that to happen and neither does Joe” said Adam. Amelia thinks for a moment and looks at her brothers. “I’ll think about it” said Amelia

The boys smile feeling accomplish and walks away to do their chores.