Summary:  This was written in response to the October Chaps and Spurs challenge. I hope you like it.  A story as it should have happened.

Rated:  K+  WC 1200

 

                                                                                           Coming Home

Adam looked up to the leaves just beginning to turn and then to the smoke coming out of the chimney. He wondered why was there a fire lit? This was the typical example of an Indian summer if ever there was one. He had even removed his coat a few hours ago and still felt no need to put it back on. Only this morning when he had begun this ride there had been frost on the ground but it had quickly been disappeared as the sun rose higher and higher in the sky. He thought that perhaps it was colder to others then to him because the house that lie just within his sight was, and always had, radiated a warmth for him. Even if he hadn’t always recognized it as being a tangible heat that could be felt.

As he sat and watched, going over and over all he was going to say and every possible reaction he might receive, he saw the front door open and a familiar figure emerge. It carried in it’s mouth the familiar pipe and Adam would swear he could smell the odor of the tobacco. It may not have always been the most pleasant of smells but right now Adam welcomed it. He knew how ridiculous it was for him to think that he could smell it but just like Hoss could smell Hop-Sing’s cooking a day and half’s ride away Adam believed he could smell his father’s pipe.

He watched as his father seemed to scan the horizon as if looking for something, or someone. Adam hoped he knew who it was he was looking for. He restrained himself from riding into the yard and studied the man that was standing there. His father seemed to be the same man and yet there was a subtle change in the way he carried himself. He didn’t seem to be standing quite as straight. It was as if he bore a weight on his shoulders, one that had been weighing him down for a while. Adam thought to himself it had probably been placed there the day he had ridden away. He was about to ride down and beg his father to forgive him for something he knew his father never held him to blame for but stopped when the door opened and his youngest brother came out and stood by his father. That got Adam wondering. Why was he always my father or his father to them and never their father?

Even at this distance Adam could sense Joe had matured. Maybe it was the way he stood or maybe the way, when he put his arm around his, their, father’s shoulders, their father seemed to stand taller as if taking strength from the man beside him.

Adam witnessed a conversation as it began and, while he couldn’t hear what was being said, many years of living in that house had given him the ability to clearly envision what was being said. First Joe would probably tell their father how it was getting chilly and he shouldn’t be standing outside dressed as he was looking and waiting for someone who wasn’t coming. He could clearly hear his father answer that he was old enough to take care of himself and he wasn’t looking or waiting for anyone. Adam hoped, maybe a little selfishly, that his father would also reprimand his little brother for not having faith that his brother would be home. Their father would say that it was just such a rare thing to have a day this warm so late in the season and that he only wished to get some fresh air. Besides he wanted to smoke his pipe and he knew that sometimes when the windows were closed up the smoke would bother everyone. Joe would quickly say that the only one who ever complained was Adam. He knew that Joe would quickly regret what he’d said and would try to apologize knowing that he had only succeeded in hurting their father. He would try to appease him by saying of course his brother would be home, soon. Their father would hear the sarcasm in the words but that he would ignore because Adam again selfishly hoped he would also hear regret and longing.

Adam began to wonder why had he gone? How could he have left everyone he loved knowing how his leaving would hurt them. It had been the same when he’d gone east to school but at least then there was a definite time for his return. This time he’d ridden away with no definite plans no set time table. This time it had been I don’t know where I’m going and I don’t know when I’ll be back. The if I’ll be back had remained unspoken.

Adam tried to remember why he had felt such an urgent need to go. Sure at times he’d felt stifled. And, even though it was not his father’s doing, he found that sometimes it was hard to emerge from the shadow his father cast. Adam believed for the most part he’d done a fair enough job of becoming his own man and most people saw him as such. It was when meeting people he’d never met, one’s who had heard of his father, that the question are you Ben Cartwright’s son would inevitably be asked. Adam had always taken great pride in answering yes to that but it also made him more determined to establish his own identity. In the years that he’d been gone he’d done that. By going to places his father had never been the question of his parentage had become non-existent. Maybe that was why he had suddenly felt the strong need to come home. Maybe he needed once again to just be one of Ben Cartwright’s sons.

Adam was roused from his musings by movement from the front of the house. His father was going inside and Joe was following closely behind. Adam was caught off guard when his youngest brother stopped and took the same stance their father had only a short while ago. Joe scanned the horizon and, turning back to follow their father inside, he hung his head as if saddened that he hadn’t found what he was looking for. Adam smiled as he watched the door close because only he knew this would be the last time anyone would have to look for him on the horizon. He was home and it was where he was going to stay.
********

“Pa I think I heard someone go into the barn.”

“Yes you did Hoss.”

“Do you know who it is pa?”

“Yes Joseph I do.”

Hoss looked to Joe and saw the same puzzled look there. Neither could understand the mysterious smile on their father’s face.

“You gonna tell us pa?”

“Yes Hoss. It’s your brother boys.”

“Come on pa. I know we all want it to be Adam but how can you know it is.”

“Because Joseph this house suddenly feels just a little bit warmer then is has in years.”