Synopsis: Joe has a run in with a sub that Adam once had and soon things go from bad to worse.
Rating:  PG
Words:  3,600

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Author’s Note:  A Dedication to my Humanities history Teacher Mrs. Griffin, whom somehow manages to put up with me and my writing, she always tries so hard, and thought it was not happiness at first sight I have come to admire her and have a great deal of respect for her.

Joe sat looking at his teacher, wondering just how old the woman was, she had been teaching so long that Adam and Joe could both talk about what she was like. It made life easier for the two brothers to have the same teachers when they were twelve years between the two.

The Old Teacher

“Little Joe, please pay attention,” Ms. Tate called, Joe looked up and smiled. He liked Ms. Tate, she had been his teacher since he was little, now at the age of fourteen he really liked her. She knew he didn’t like being in school so every once in a while she would hand a book to Joe and say that his big brother enjoyed the book when he was a little boy, this often caused Joe to read the book. Adam was impressed by the way this woman had with children, she had always cared deeply for all her students. When he had been there she had been a brand new teacher. His first year in school had been her first she had been sixteen, they two had been good friends a long time, and Ms. Tate liked her young student who was so interested in learned. He had always been ahead of his peers and often helped them. Although Joseph was not like his brother in that form he did seem interested in learning sometimes and was known to try hard when he was having fun.

“Yes ma’am,” however today Little Joe’s mind was far from his studies. It was Friday and all Joe wanted to do was get out of school for the weekend.

“Now remember class, Starting Monday you will have a substitute for the next three weeks while I’m up in Boston, please be good,” they all nodded.

“All right kids, school dismissed, Little Joe will you stay here please,” Joe looked up from his book and nodded.

“Yes’um.” He walked up to the front after all the children left. Adam had been coming to get him lately, so the two could have a little time together, Joe had been enjoying, normally he wouldn’t like riding home with his big brother but they would talk about his mama, or Adam’s past, all sorts of things. It had started two weeks ago when Joe had been grounded for a week, Ben had told him that Adam would ride him to and from school. Adam had done so for the entire week and that was when the conversations had begun. After the week had ended Joe had been sad saying that he enjoyed the time with his older brother and asked if Adam could pick him up after school sometimes. Both Ben and Adam agreed.

“Joe I know you don’t like school very much, but I’m asking you now please respect this teacher while I’m gone okay,” Just then Adam entered. Joe looked back and smiled at him.

“Hey Little Joe, I’ve got to go into town, you want to come with me or head home?” Smiling Joe thought for a minute.

“I’ll go with you if ya take me and Hoss finsin’ this weekend,” Adam laughed as he walked to the front of the classroom and put his hands on Joe’s shoulders.

“I think I can do that. Hi Ms. Tate,” the older woman laughed at him.

“Adam, I haven’t taught you since you were a wee little boy, its okay to call me Rebecca now,” she said Adam smiled.

“I know I can, its just well ya know hard habit to break. Ready to go little buddy?” Adam asked. Joe looked up at him and nodded.

“Bye Ms. Tate see ya in three weeks,” he said. She nodded and waved goodbye to both boys as they left, it never ceased to amaze her how wonderful the Cartwright boys were. Even Hoss remembered her from when he was a little boy, and having three little boys all from the same family and watching them all grow up from kids made a big impact on her. Although she hadn’t met Adam until he was ten because that’s when the Cartwrights had first come here she remembered what life had been like for Adam that first year. He had been a shy, smart young boy, then Marie had come along and he turned into a bundle of pain, anger and fear. Then a year after Marie came shortly before Adam turned twelve Marie had told him about the baby she was carrying the it changed the child forever. Then when the baby had arrived Adam began a whirling bundle of smiles and happiness, back to his yearning to learn. He had often said he would go to college for the next five years, but then Marie had died and Adam had become a man quicker than ever, sure he had been very mature for such a young age because of all his time on the trails but it had been different, he would often come for his brother as if he needed to be close to both his little brothers, like he was afraid they would die too. When Joe had turned seven Adam left for Boston to go to college, coming back four years later Adam and Joe weren’t the same people they had been.

Adam and Joe walked into the house laughing as Adam told him stories of the past which he loved so very much. Ben smiled. Glad to see his sons getting along so well.

“Hi Joe, how was school?” Ben asked.

“It was okay.”

“Good to hear.”

It was that night at dinner Ben announced that Adam and Joe would been on their own for two weeks while he and Hoss went to Sacramento for the two weeks. Joe wasn’t excited about this but he said nothing, he didn’t mind his older brother but he was unsure how to react to this. The weekend came and went, Adam kept his promise and the three brothers went fishing Saturday afternoon and each caught big fish for dinner. Sunday was reserved for Hoss and Ben to pack up. Monday came and Joe got up early to see his father and big brother off.

“Have a safe trip pa,” Adam told them. Joe gave his father a hug and watched the two leave the house. Sighing he walked over to the table and grabbed his books. He looked at the grandfather clock and instantly knew he was late for school, great way to start the week.

“Want me to write you a note buddy?” Adam asked. Joe looked at him and shook his head no.

“No it’s okay.”

“Okay. Joe will you please come home right after school. I need you around here.”

“Yes sir.”

“Good-boy. Bye Joe.”

“Bye Adam.” Adam watched his baby brother leave for school and hoped the new teacher was nothing like Mr. Wilson he had had when he was Joe’s age. He shivered slightly at the thought of that bitter man that had beat him with a whip for something he had never done.

*******************************************

Adam looked at the clock. Mr. Wilson had been teaching his class for a week already and Adam was hating every minute of it. He didn’t want to tell his parents about how the man would yell at him everyday for not paying attention.

“Adam, you’d best hurry up or you’ll be late for school,” Marie said as she carried Joe into the kitchen, she stopped to give him a kiss goodbye.

“Bye mama, bye little buddy,” Adam said kissing his two year old brother’s cheek. Little Joe cooed.

“Home right after school Adam,” she said.

“Yes ma’am.”

Adam got to school shortly after everyone else, Mr. Wilson however did not take kindly to this, nor did he take kindly to the fact that Adam was the smartest in the class and tried to help the other student. Adam didn’t understand why the teacher hated him so very much.

“Mr. Cartwright if you have any idea what’s good for you, you will not disrupt my class with your tardiness,” nodding Adam slowly sat down in his seat and remained quiet. He already, for the past week he had not eaten lunch because Mr. Wilson had kept him inside.

Mr. Wilson was a six foot man or close to. He had dark brown hair and a mustache that curled up. When Adam looked at the man he was sure the guy was a devil because his mustache resembled horns.

“Mr. Cartwright, you will remain in here during lunch today!” The burley man said. Adam looked up at his teacher, he should have been paying attention, but he didn’t know why, he already did all of this last year.

“Yes sir,” Adam said annoyed.

Adam slowly walked towards the barn, his back hurt, as did his face. He hoped he could hide it from his mother, at least until dinner so he could think of something to tell his parents.

“Adam,” he stiffened when he heard his mother’s voice. She noticed this. She placed a hand on his shoulder and felt Adam cringe and grimace under it. She quickly withdrew her hand.

“Adam, turn around please.”

“Mama, please just lem me alone,” he whispered. Marie instantly knew something was wrong.

“Adam turn around now!” She said sternly. Adam couldn’t. She began to watch as Adam’s shoulders shook with sobs.

“Mama please, I don’t wanna talk right now,”

“Adam just tell me are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine,” he said.

“Adam please face me,” and the third time she insisted Adam knew he could no longer avoid it. He slowly turned around to expose the welts on his left cheek and forehead. Adam was becoming weak, he was dizzy from all the blows his teacher had delt him for being ahead of everyone in his class. Marie had a bad feeling and slowly moved towards her son’s shirt, and lifted it up to reveal more red hot welts on his back and chest.

“Jesus Adam who did this to you,” Adam said nothing, only continued to cry. He blindly flung his arms around his step mother and sobbed on her shoulder.

“Shh, oh baby, tell me did Mr. Wilson do this to you?” She asked. Adam nodded into her shoulder. Just then she heard Ben coming and said a silent thanks for him being there. When Ben walked into the barn and saw his wife and eldest son he wondered what was going on. Marie was kneeling down holding Adam tight while Adam sobbed on her shoulder.

“Marie what’s wrong?” He asked also seeing the tears running down her face. She signaled for him to come over and slowly she pulled up her son’s shirt to reveal his back.

“Adam, son who did this to you?” The boy couldn’t answer. Ben carefully picked him up not touching his back. Ben carried his son into the house, as he continued to sob against his father’s chest. Ben could feel anger raging through him as he saw the welts all over Adam’s body.

“Adam tell me son, who did this to you?”

“Mr. Wilson said I wasn’t allowed to be ahead of the other children, said I was stupid and I didn’t know anything and I would never make it ta college. Oh papa I wanna go to college,” Marie sat down next to him and hugged him tight.

“And you will my young scholar you will. We promise,” she whispered to him. She rocked him slowly in her arms while Ben tended to the wounds on his back. Then the front then finally his face.

*************************************************

Joe slowly walked into the school building. He had stopped to watch the stagecoach his brother and father were on leave. As he entered he looked up to see the new sub.

“What is your name boy!” He demanded.

“Joseph sir. Joseph Cartwright,” he said. The man glared at him.

“Well Joseph Cartwright you will stay in for lunch and learn how to not disrupt class, if you are late again this week you will not go out until this school day is over for the entire week.” He said. Joe sat down next to Mitch.

“Yes sir.”

“Now as I was saying. My name is Mr. Wilson, I was a teacher about 12 years ago, then went on a leave for a few years and have been teaching a boy’s school for the past five years,” he said. He glared at Cartwright. It had been a long time since he had heard that name, and now all the rage returned from 12 years ago. The boy he had taken care of 12 years ago had been fourteen. He would be twenty-six today, so this was either his little brother or son.

A few hours later he dismissed everyone for lunch except Little Joe.

Little Joe slowly walked into the house. He slowly walked upstairs and went to his room where he closed his door and fell onto his bed and began to cry, the feelings of what had happened today slowly let out. Soon before he knew what was happening he felt himself falling asleep.

Adam came into the house.

“Hop Sing, where’s Little Joe?” He asked. Hop Sing came in and looked at him.

“No know. I tink he went to sleep,” Adam nodded his thanks to the Chinese cook and walked up to his baby brother’s room.

“Little Joe?” He called, but got no response. He slowly opened the door and smiled at how angelic his little brother always seemed when he was sleeping. He walked over to the bed and sat down, gently shaking his little brother’s shoulder.

“Joe, wake up little buddy,” he smiled when his brother’s eyes opened wide.

“You all right little buddy?”

“Yeah, just tired I suppose,” he whispered. Adam looked at him and saw the tear tracks. However he said nothing.

“All right little buddy, but aren’t you hungry?”

“Not really.”

“Okay, go ahead and go back to sleep then little buddy.”

“Adam,” he called. Adam looked back at his baby brother.

“Yeah?” He asked.

“I love ya,” he whispered.

“I love you too buddy.” Adam said back and then slowly shut the door behind him. He planned on talking to Joe about this tomorrow. However the next morning his brother was gone when he left. As Joe rode into town he didn’t know how he was going to explain to Mr. Wilson why he had not done his Math homework. He didn’t care very much. Slowly he walked inside and sat down at his desk with the rest of the children.

As the week went by Adam noticed a decline in his brother’s up lifting personality. He always came home and went to sleep or bumped around the house until Adam told him it was bed time, he continually told Adam how much he loved him and he rarely ate. It wasn’t that Adam didn’t like his brother being affectionate towards him but it made him wonder. The small boy seemed frightened and worried, every time he was late or Adam began to question him Joe’s eyes would tear and he would hug his brother telling him how much he loved him. As Tuesday approached Adam watched his brother ride up to the house as fast as he could. Adam was going to yell at him but suddenly he saw his mother falling off the her horse again as Joe went flying to the ground.

“JOE!” Adam yelled. He ran to his little brother and looked at him.

“I’m okay Adam,” he said as he slowly tried to get up, but his brother gently pushed him back down.”

“No sweetheart just relax for a few seconds. What were you thinking riding in here like the devil himself was after you.” Joe felt that Adam had hit the nail on the head. His big brother slowly helped him up. Joe felt lightheaded and dizzy. He leaned heavily against his big brother.

“Joe, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah Adam, just a little dizzy.”

“Joe did you eat lunch?” Sighing Joe shook his head no.

“Joe, have you eaten anything in the past nine days?” Again Joe reluctantly shook his head no.

“Joseph, that’s dangerous,” Adam said. Joe’s eyes began to water. Adam picked him up and felt his brother’s legs wrap around his hips and Joe held tight to Adam’s neck.

“Shh Joe, its okay, big brothers got ya now. I’ve got ya now.” He carried his brother in the house. He walked over to the banister and grabbed the blanket and together the two sat down in Ben’s favorite blue chair, Adam wrapped them up in the blanket and slowly began to rub his brother’s back. It wasn’t long before he could hear his brother’s even breathing. Moments later Adam joined his younger brother in a peaceful sleep. Joe only moved once or twice in his brother’s grip, but never left it, every time he moved he felt Adam’s arms grow tighter and he quickly calmed down. Adam woke up the next morning to find his little brother fast asleep against his chest, he smiled, he couldn’t believe the two of them had slept the entire night in this position. He gently nudged his little brother who was wrapped up tightly in the blanket holding his brother’s shirt and had another hand around his waist.

“Hey little buddy, time to wake up,” he whispered in the boy’s ear. Looking up, Joe’s big green eyes looked at Adam’s hazel.

“Sorry,” he whispered. Adam shook his head no.

“No little buddy, you feel free to curl up in my lap any day you want little buddy, I’ll always be here for you. You stick with me little brother I’ll keep you safe,” Joe smiled and nestled into his brother again.

“You wanna go to school today?” Joe nodded.

“Yes,” sighing Adam allowed his little brother to get off his lap and head upstairs. Adam missed his warmth instantly. He loved being so close to his baby brother. He had always been very clingy, ever since he was a baby. A few minutes later his baby brother came back down dressed and washed up slightly.

“I gotta go. Bye Adam, I love ya,” he said as he left the house. Adam watched him go and sighed.

“I love you too buddy, I always will,” he whispered. He prayed God would bless him with a child like Joe, unsure of what he would do when his clingy little Joe was all grown up and wouldn’t fit in he or his father’s lap anymore. Adam quickly shook his head, knowing they still had at least four years with their young boy.

Joe sat in class thinking about being near his brother and what he had said, he felt safer than he ever had when he was around one of his family members. Suddenly he felt searing pain on his back, he looked up to see Mr. Wilson holding a small whip.

“What the hell was that for!” Joe yelled.

“For not paying attention, seconds later Joe was on the floor unable to fend of any further attack. He screamed out in pain as the whipping continued.

Adam came outside when he heard the slow hoof-beats only to find little Joe barely hanging onto Cochise.

“Joe!” He yelled. He ran over to the boy and caught him just in time as Joe nearly slid to the ground. Adam took one look at him.

“Joe who did this to you boy?”

“Mr. Wilson,” the boy whispered. It was all Adam had to hear, he quickly rushed Joe inside and to his bed.

“Hop Sing! Take care of Joseph, I’ll send Doc Martin as soon as I can!” With that he ran out to the barn and rode towards the school.

Mr. Wilson was in the middle of English when the door busted open, he sneered. Mitch looked up as did Seth.

“Mitch, go get the sheriff, tell him what happened. Seth go tell Doc Martin to get to the ranch. Kids go outside,” they all smiled and ran outside.

“Ahh, young Adam Cartwright, so is Joseph your son or brother. Adam could no longer take anymore flying off the handle he through his fist at the men.

Twenty minutes later Adam stood in front of the barely conscious man.

“If you ever show your face in this town again I’ll kill you, you bastard. I will bring charges up on you for what you did to me and my little brother!” He yelled then hit him one last time and looked back at Roy.

“I’ve got to go.” Roy nodded.

Adam ran into the ranch house and saw Doc Martin coming down the stairs.

“Doc?”

“You need to get him eating, he’ll make it. He’ll be in some pain as you were when that man did this to you, but he’ll be fine, a little time with his big brother should make him feel better,” Nodding Adam ran upstairs. Joe looked at his brother.

“Hey little buddy, how ya feeling?”

“Everything hurts Adam,” he whispered. Climbing in the small bed next to his brother Adam nodded.

“I knw it does, I remember Mr. Wilson doing the same to me, I wish you would have told me buddy, but don’t you worry none about that anymore he’ll never teach again I’ll make sure of that, go to sleep.”

“Will ya stay with me?”

“You bet,” within moments the two brothers fell asleep in each other’s arms.

THE END