Summary:  Ben has a headache, which throws the household into turmoil
Rating:  G  7,200 words

---

Pa’s Headache

 

Ben massaged his temples as he walked down the hallway towards the stairs. For some reason his head was pounding and he would have liked nothing more than to go back to bed again, but Ben Cartwright wasn’t the sort of man to lie down when there was a ranch to be run. He hadn’t built the empire that was The Ponderosa by slackening off every time he felt unwell, so with his shoulders squared, he walked down the stairs as he straightened his necktie. “Good morning boys,” he said to his three sons who were already seated at the table.

 

“Morning Pa,” said Hoss, lifting his head for a moment and then putting his attention back to the task in front of him, which was the emptying of the huge mound of eggs and bacon on his plate.

 

“Morning Pa,” said Adam and then turned back to Joe again. “… because I told you to,” he said, obviously finishing off a conversation that he’d been having with his youngest brother.

 

“Well I don’t see why you get to decide all the time,” said Joe indignantly. “Tell Adam he isn’t in charge round here all the time, will you Pa?”

 

Ben slid onto his chair wearily. “Good morning Joseph,” he said pointedly.

 

“Oh … Morning,” said Joe. “Adam thinks he’s the boss of me just because he’s the eldest. Tell him to stop bossing me around, will you Pa?”

 

Ben put his elbows on the table and massaged his temples again, hoping that the movement would lessen the pounding in his head. He really didn’t need to start his day with one of Joe’s usual arguments, but it seemed as if his youngest son was once again bucking against his brother’s authority.

 

“Pa,” said Joe again. “I don’t have to spend the morning chopping wood just cause Adam tells me to, do I?”

 

“You know full well that you were supposed to chop that wood yesterday,” said Adam. “If it hadn’t been for your laziness, then you would have got it done then.”

 

“I am not lazy!” declared Joe indignantly. “You said to clean out the tack room and I did it, didn’t I?”

 

“Yes,” admitted Adam. “But you were supposed to clean out the tack room and get the wood chopped as well.”

 

“Well it ain’t my fault if cleaning out the tack room took all day,” declared Joe. “It was real messy!”

 

“Well if you hadn’t just  thrown …”

 

“Boys please!” interrupted Ben abruptly. “Would you stop arguing!”

 

Both of his sons looked at him in surprise and Hoss lifted his head from his plate, gave his father a strange look and then bent over his meal again. “Are you alright Pa?” asked Adam finally.

 

“Yes of course I’m alright!” snapped Ben. “Why wouldn’t I be alright?”

 

“You look kinda funny,” said Joe, staring at his father.

 

“I’ve just got a headache,” said Ben, picking up his coffee cup.

 

Hop Sing heard Ben’s words as he walked into the room and plonked down another plate of eggs on the table. Hoss immediately scooped up a few more spoonfuls and then went back to eating. “Mr Cartwright have headache?” said Hop Sing, beaming at the man happily. “I fix up quick smart!”

 

“Fix up how?” asked Ben, taking another sip of his coffee.

 

“Old Chinese remedy,” said Hop Sing proudly. “I fix for you.”  He scuttled from the room quickly, beaming at the thought of being able to try out one of his many concoctions.

 

“So anyway,” continued Joe, nonplussed. “Tell Adam that I don’t haveta chop all that wood Pa, will you?”

 

“You’ll do as you’re told,” said Ben, massaging his temples again.

 

“But that ain’t fair!” declared Joe. “I was gonna …”

 

“I said that you’d do as you’re told Joseph!” snapped Ben. “And that’s an end to it young man!”

 

Joe scowled at Adam and slunk down in his seat as Adam smirked at him. “Ain’t fair,” he muttered under his breath.

 

“Joseph please!” said Ben. “I’m really not in the mood for your nonsense this morning. Now eat your breakfast and be quiet.”

 

Adam gave his father an intense look. “You don’t look at all well,” he said. “Why don’t you go back to bed for the day Pa?”

 

Ben sighed, wishing with all his heart that he could. “How can I?” he said. “There’s work to be done.”

 

“There’s always work to be done,” said Adam reasonably. “But there’s nothing that won’t keep is there? Or nothing that one of us can’t do for you.”

 

Hoss lifted his head. “Yeah Pa,” he said, with his mouth full. “I’ll do ya work fer ya today iffen ya want.”

 

“Thank you son,” said Ben. “But there are a lot of accounts to get organised and I’d better do them.” Hoss nodded thoughtfully before going back to eating. Bookwork wasn’t something he was particularly good at and they all knew it.

 

“I could do the accounts for you,” insisted Adam. “I’ve done them before.”

 

Ben hesitated, the offer sounding wonderful to him as he listened to the pounding of his head. “But you were going to get the supplies this morning,” he said.

 

“I could get them!” said Joe quickly. “I don’t mind. Then Adam could do the accounts.”

 

“How generous of you to volunteer to get into town,” said Adam sarcastically and Joe beamed at him. “What about the wood?” asked Adam. “Hop Sing needs it.”

 

“I could do that,” said Hoss, lifting his head again.

 

“Yeah,” agreed Joe quickly. “Hoss could do that. He don’t mind, do ya Hoss?”

 

Hoss shook his head. “I was gonna fix them horseshoes,” he said. “But I can do that later. I like chopping wood.”

 

“He can do the horseshoes later … He likes chopping wood,” echoed Joe. “See Pa? It’s all fixed.”  He patted his father on the arm in a comforting way. “You go back to bed and we’ll run things around here for you.”

 

Adam snorted. “The day we leave you in charge will be a day to mark down on the calendar,” he said. “I’ll make sure everything gets done Pa. You go on back up to bed.”

 

Ben stood up. “You know what boys? I just think that I will. Thank you. A day in bed might do me the world of good.”  He walked towards the stairs and climbed them slowly, watched thoughtfully by his three sons.

 

“He really don’t look too good,” said Joe thoughtfully. “What do ya reckon is the matter with him Adam?”

 

“You heard him,” replied Adam. “He’s got a headache.”

 

“Maybe it’s more serious than that?” said Joe, an anxious look coming over his face.

 

“Stop making a fuss,” said Adam, wiping his mouth with his napkin as he got up from the table. “I’m going to start those accounts and if you know what’s good for you you’ll get the buckboard ready and get into town right away.” He pointed at his youngest brother meaningfully. “And you be back by lunchtime,” he said. “No loitering in town.”

 

Joe tried to look offended. “Me?” he said. “As if I would.”

 

Adam nodded thoughtfully, but said nothing. “You starting work now Hoss?” he said.

 

Hoss lifted his head again. “In a minute,” he said reaching for the last of the eggs. “I’d hate these ta go ta waste.”

 

——————-

 

 

Ben closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief as he eased his aching head onto his soft pillow. He felt slightly guilty about being back in bed again, but as the boys had said …. there was nothing that they couldn’t handle. It would do him good to have some quiet time and maybe get some extra sleep. He was just drifting off when he felt the presence of someone in the room and opened his eyes again to see Joe staring down at him anxiously. “What is it Joe?” he asked sleepily.

 

“I was just checking to see if you was alright Pa,” said Joe. “Do you need anything?”

 

“No thank you son,” said Ben, closing his eyes again. “Thank you anyway.” After a moment he opened them again and looked up at Joe who hadn’t moved. “What?” he asked.

 

“Are you sure you don’t want any breakfast?” asked Joe. “You didn’t eat any.”

 

“No thank you son,” said Ben. “I’m not really hungry.”

 

“You should eat Pa,” insisted Joe. “It’ll do your headache good.”

 

“I’m fine thank you son,” said Ben. “I’d just like to get some sleep,” he added meaningfully. Joe however didn’t take the hint, but sat down on the edge of his father’s bed.

 

“Do you want something to drink?” he asked.

 

“No thank you,” said Ben, beginning to feel a little cross with his son. “Just go and do whatever it is you were going to do.”

 

At that moment, Hop Sing entered the room, carrying something on a tray. “Sit up Mr Ben,” he ordered. “Have willow bark tea for you to drink.”

 

Ben sat up wearily and Joe immediately leant forward and rearranged his father’s pillows so that he was propped up on them.

“Here,” said Hop Sing, holding out the steaming cup. “Will make headache better.”  He beamed at Ben as the man took a sip of it.

 

“What did you say this was?” asked Ben, making a face as he tasted the tea.

 

“Willow bark tea,” said Hop Sing proudly. “Is good for headache.”

 

“Well it may be good for my headache, but it’s not going to do my stomach any good,” said Ben, holding the cup out to him. “Thank you Hop Sing, but I’d rather have the headache.”

 

Hop Sing’s face immediately went from a smile to a frown. “Mr Ben drink!” he said sternly. “Is good for you!”

 

“Yes,” said Ben. “But …”

 

“You always tell us to take our medicine when we’re sick,” interrupted Joe. “Just drink it quickly and it won’t be too bad Pa.”  He reached out and held the cup to his father’s mouth. “That’s it,” he said, tilting the cup slightly. “Drink it up.”

 

Ben shook his head so that his mouth moved away from the cup. “I can drink it myself Joseph,” he said crossly and downed the tea in a few gulps. “Thank you Hop Sing,” he said. “I’m sure it will help.” He tried to lie down again, but found that he couldn’t due to all the pillows that Joe had propped up behind him. “Would you move these please Joe?” he said. “I’d like to lie down.”

 

“Sure Pa,” said Joe, springing forward to move the pillows as Hop Sing left the room. Ben snuggled down again and closed his eyes, then opened them again to see Joe still sitting there. “Would you please leave now?” he asked crossly. “I’d like to get some sleep.”

 

“Don’t mind me Pa,” said Joe, settling back on the edge of the bed comfortably. “I’ll just sit here quietly in case you think of something you might need.”

 

“I don’t need anything!” said Ben crossly. “Now please go and do your work and leave me alone!”

 

Joe nodded and stood up. “Ok Pa,” he said, straightening out the blankets on his father’s bed. “You get some sleep now.”

 

Ben pulled the blankets back towards him. “Stop fiddling with those,” he said and rolled over his side to face the wall. He breathed a sigh of relief as he heard Joe tiptoeing softly from the room.

 

Suddenly he opened his eyes again as he heard a rhythmic pounding noise outside his window. “What is that?” he said aloud and listened for a few moments. Finally he realised that it was probably Hoss chopping wood down in the yard. Ben stuffed a pillow over his head and closed his eyes determinedly as he tried to sleep.

 

 

——————-

 

 

Adam frowned at the column of figures in front of him on the desk and checked a couple of pieces of paper again. “I really don’t see how this adds up with that,” he muttered to himself. “Maybe if I …” He looked up as his youngest brother crossed the room. “Haven’t you gone to town yet?” he asked crossly.

 

Joe shook his head and shirted the pile of blankets that he was carrying from one arm to the other. “Hop Sing ain’t finished his list for me yet,” he said. “He’s been too busy making medicine for Pa.”

He turned to walk up the stairs.

 

“Where are you going with those?” asked Adam, indicating the blankets in his brother’s hands.

 

“I thought Pa might appreciate some extras,” said Joe.

 

“Well put them in there quietly and don’t disturb him,” said Adam, looking down at the column of figures in the ledger again.

 

Joe hesitated for a moment and then came over and sat down on the edge of the desk, looking at his brother as he worked.

 

“What?” said Adam, looking up.

 

“I’ve been thinking Adam,” said Joe, a serious look on his face. “I reckon Pa might be real sick you know.”

 

Adam sighed. “You heard him before. He’s just got a headache, that’s all.”

 

Joe shook his head. “I don’t know about that,” he said wisely. “He sure didn’t look too good to me. It could be something real serious Adam. Pa never goes to bed sick.”

 

“Stop over reacting,” said Adam. “If it was anything more then he’d tell us.”

 

Joe shook his head. “I don’t think that he would,” he said. He leant forward and stared at his brother. “I reckon he wouldn’t tell us cause he wouldn’t want us to worry.”

 

“I’m sure he’d tell us,” said Adam. “Now will you go away and let me get on with this? It’s hard enough without you interrupting me all the time.”

 

“Crabby!” said Joe, getting off the desk and heading towards the stairs again. “I’m just worried bout Pa is all. No one else around here seems to be,” he muttered under his breath. He crept quietly into his father’s room and put the blankets down on the bottom of the bed. “Pa?” he said. “Are you asleep?” Ben grunted. “I brought you some extra blankets,” said Joe. “Do you want one more on you?” Ben grunted again and Joe took that to be a yes, so he spread one of the blankets on the bed and then patted his father on the head. “Sleep well Pa,” he said tenderly and then left the room.

 

 

——————-

 

 

Hoss wiped his brow with his neckerchief and then put it back into his pocket before picking up the axe again and bringing it down hard on a piece of wood, splitting it in two. “Ain’t ya gone yet?” he asked as Joe came out of the front doorway and walked towards him. “I thought ya’d be halfway ta town by now.”

 

“I’m going,” said Joe, sitting down on the woodpile and watching his brother work.

 

“If ya’re only gonna sit there watching me ya chores fer ya, then ya might as well do em yaself,” said Hoss, splitting another log.

 

“Hoss?” said Joe, ignoring his brother’s statement. “Have you ever known Pa to spend a day in bed before?”

 

Hoss stopped working and thought for a moment. “Don’t reckon as I have Joe,” he said. “Now that ya come ta mention it.”

 

“Well then!” said Joe, as if that explained everything.

 

“Well then what?” said Hoss, giving his brother a puzzled look.

 

“I reckon he’s real sick Hoss,” said Joe. “Maybe we should get Doc Martin to take a look at him?”

 

Hoss scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Nah!” he said, beginning to cut the wood again. “I reckon Pa woulda said if he wanted the Doc. It’s like Adam says Joe, it’s just a headache.”  He spilt a particularly large log straight down the middle and grinned at it happily. “Sides,” he added. “Hop Sing will fix him right up with one of them Chinese medicines he makes.” He put another piece of wood on the chopping block and cleft it straight down the middle.

 

Suddenly the curtains at the window of their father’s room twitched sideways and Ben put his head out of the window. “Hoss?” he shouted.

 

Hoss wiped his face and looked up at his father. “Yeah Pa?” he shouted back.

 

“I know you have work to do son, but do you think you could do it a little quieter?” asked Ben, holding his head with one hand while he supported himself with the other.

 

“Sorry Pa,” said Hoss. “I’ll try and chop a bit quieter.”

 

Ben rolled his eyes. “Son … please find something else to do. Something that isn’t so noisy right under my window.”

 

“Sure thing Pa,” said Hoss, giving his father and easy grin. “I’ve done most of the wood anyways.”

 

Ben nodded. “Good,” he said. “Thank you.”  He withdrew his head again.

 

“See?” said Joe knowingly. “He’s real sick Hoss. He never tells us not to work usually.”

 

Hoss put down the axe. “Mebbe,” he said. “You’d better get that team hitched up or you’ll be the sick one after brother Adam gets through with you though Joe.”  He strode off to the barn to continue his work somewhere else.

 

Upstairs, Ben crept back into bed again, thankful that the constant pounding noise outside had finally stopped. He held his palms flat against the temples and stared at the ceiling, willing the pounding in his head to stop as well.

 

“You’re still awake,” said a voice and he turned to see Adam standing in the doorway looking at him anxiously.

 

“Yes,” said Ben and turned his gaze back to the ceiling again. “Hop Sing is downstairs cooking up another remedy for you,” said Adam, coming into the room.

 

“Well I hope it doesn’t taste like the last one did,” said his father.

 

Adam smiled and sat down. “I don’t want to disturb you Pa, but I was wondering if I could just ask you a couple of questions before you go to sleep?”

 

Ben forced himself to sit up again. “Of course,” he said. “What is it?”

 

Adam put a couple of papers on the bed. “Well it’s about these two accounts,” he said. “I just can’t see where you’ve entered them in the ledger.” Ben picked up the pieces of paper and began to study them.

 

“Mr Ben put those down!” said a voice and they both looked up to see Hop Sing standing in the doorway glaring at them both. “Is no good for headache!”  He walked over and took the papers out of Ben’s hands and flung them back at Adam. “You go now!” he said firmly. “Chop! Chop!”

 

Adam rolled his eyes. “I was just …”

 

“No you just!” said Hop Sing in a loud voice, causing Ben to wince. “Hop Sing make Mr Cartwright’s head all better,” he said proudly. “Have lavender hot pack for put on head.” He pushed Ben back on the pillow and put a towel on his forehead.

 

“Ow!” said Ben, trying to snatch it off again. “That’s scalding hot!”

 

“It supposed to be,” said Hop Sing, holding the towel firmly in place. “It work better that way.”

 

“Take it off!” said Ben, but Hop Sing shook his head and glared at him.

 

“It stay on head,” he said firmly. “It cool down soon.”

 

Ben stopped struggling and resigned himself to the inevitable, for he knew that when Hop Sing got that look on his face there was no arguing with him.

 

Suddenly Joe appeared in the doorway, a pile of books in his hands. “I brought you something to read Pa,” he said. “I picked out some good books for you cause I thought that you might be bored.”

 

Adam rolled his eyes at his younger brother. “Pa has a headache!” he said sarcastically. “He doesn’t feel like reading!”

 

“Well I didn’t know that he didn’t,” said Joe defensively as he put the books on Ben’s dresser. He gave his father a strange look. “Why do ya have that towel on his head for Hop Sing?”

 

“Is remedy to take away headache,” said Hop Sing, smiling broadly at them all. “Will ease pain.”

 

“It’s not working,” muttered Ben.

 

“You not give it chance,” said Hop Sing letting go of it. “It cooler now. You leave on!” he warned, wagging his finger at Ben as he left the room.

 

“For heaven’s sake Joe,” said Adam. “I told you not to come up here and disturb Pa when he’s sick!”

 

“Well you are!” replied Joe, putting his hands on his hips and glaring at his brother. “Anyway, at least I’m being thoughtful. You’re just ….” He pointed to the papers in Adam’s hands. “You’re just making him think about work is all!”

 

Adam stood up and glared at his brother. “I was only …”

 

Ben rolled his eyes. “Boys please,” he said. “Can you please do your arguing outside? I have a headache remember?”

 

“Sorry Pa,” said Adam, grabbing Joe by the arm and propelling him towards the doorway.

 

“Sorry Pa,” said Joe over his shoulder as Adam pushed him out of the room before following him.

 

“Sorry Pa,” muttered Ben, closing his eyes. “And they wonder why I’ve got a headache!”

 

 

——————-

 

 

Adam sat down and looked at the bare table in surprise. “Hasn’t Hop Sing got lunch ready yet?” he asked Hoss. “It’s past noon.”

 

Hoss gave his brother a mournful look. “I reckon not,” he said sadly. “I went to the kitchen and checked, but he was fussing with something in a pot ta fix up Pa’s headache. He said that lunch will be late.” He sighed. “I reckon if I sit here long enough that he’ll bring something eventually but.”

 

Adam nodded as Joe came into the room. “Why aren’t you on your way to town?” he asked crossly.

 

“No point going until after lunch now,” said Joe, looking at the bare table. “Where is it?”

 

“Hop Sing’s still making it,” said Hoss glumly.

 

“Here is!” said Hop Sing, coming into the room and plonking down a plate of sandwiches on the table.

 

“Is that all we get?” asked Hoss. “You know we need more than just sandwiches ta keep our strength up Hop Sing!”

 

“Hop Sing too busy making medicine for Mr Ben to cook!” the man said crossly. “Anyway …” he pointed a finger at all three of them. “Not much work done today …. So no need strength.”

 

“Now that ain’t fair!” declared Hoss as Hop Sing left the room and he helped himself to half the sandwiches on the plate. “I’ve been working hard doing Joe’s chores.”

 

“And I’ve been working hard on those accounts,” said Adam. “Its no wonder Pa has a headache having to do them all the time. They’re not easy.”  They both looked at Joe who stared back at them.

 

“What?” he said.

 

“We’ve both been working all morning little brother, but you haven’t exactly done a thing have you?” said Hoss as he chewed.

 

“That’s not true!” declared Joe.

 

“Well what exactly have you done?” asked Adam. “Apart from making a nuisance of yourself with Pa?”

 

“I have not been making a nuisance of myself!” Joe said indignantly. “I’m just worried about Pa is all.”

 

Adam pointed a finger at his youngest brother. “Well you’d better get straight into town and get those supplies straight after lunch,” he said firmly. “You’re not going to waste the rest of the day.”

 

“I don’t like to leave Pa when he’s sick,” said Joe.

 

“Stop fussing,” said Adam. “I’ll watch out for Pa. You’re going to town.”

 

Joe gave his brother a thoughtful look. “Sure thing Adam,” he said after a moment. “I’ll get right onto it. I’ll just go and get that list from Hop Sing.” He picked up two sandwiches and went off to the kitchen, munching as he went.

 

Adam gave his brother a suspicious look as he left the room. “That was strange,” he said.

 

“What?” asked Hoss with his mouth full.

 

Adam shook his head. “Nothing,” he said. “What are you going to do this afternoon Hoss?”

 

“I’ll get onto fixin up them horseshoes I reckon,” said Hoss, taking the last of the sandwiches and looking at it distastefully. “Hop Sing knows I don’t like cheese. Don’t know why he always makes em.”

 

“Well make sure that you do it quietly,” said Adam. “Don’t disturb Pa.”

 

Hoss made a face. “There ain’t nothing quiet bout hittin horseshoes back inta place,” he said.

 

Adam acknowledged this with a slight nod of his head. “Well, do your best,” he said.

 

“I’ll work in the barn with the door closed,” said Hoss, grinning at his brother. “That should do it.”

 

 

——————-

 

 

Ben sighed and rolled over onto his back and stared up at the ceiling again. “What is that noise?” he asked fretfully as Adam came into the room with a tray.

 

“It’s Hoss working on the horseshoes,” said Adam. He looked out of the window. “We didn’t think that you’d hear it if the barn door was closed, but it sounds like we were wrong.”

 

“Hmm,” said Ben, looking at the tray that Adam had put down on the bed. “What’s this?”

 

“Your lunch,” said Adam wryly. “We only got sandwiches today because Hop Sing has been busy making up headache remedies for you.”

 

Ben groaned. “Not more remedies!” he said. “I’m all remedied out. If I have to take one more …”  He stopped and smiled in a shamefaced way as Hop Sing appeared in the doorway. “I really didn’t mean that Hop Sing,” he said lamely.

 

Hop Sing gave him a dark look as he walked into the room. “Mr Ben no want headache medicine?” he said threateningly.

 

“No … I mean no, that’s not what I meant,” said Ben, reaching out for the cup in the other man’s hand instantly. “Of course I want it.”

 

Hop Sing’s eyes narrowed as he watched Ben drink the contents of the cup in one gulp. “It make you better,” he said grabbing the cup again. “You see.”

 

“I’m sure it will,” said Ben, trying to smile at him. “I’m very grateful to you Hop Sing. Of course I ….” He stopped as he realised that the man had already left the room and he was talking to thin air. He sighed and picked up a sandwich, biting into it. “Now I’ve offended him,” he said.

 

“He’ll get over it,” said Adam. “I’ll go and tell Hoss to stop working with those horseshoes.”

 

“No son, let him carry on with his work,” said Ben. “It’s fine.” He sighed again as Adam left the room and picked up one of the books that Joe had left on his dresser, turning the pages of it listlessly as he listened to the constant clanging of metal coming from the barn.

 

 

——————-

 

 

Adam rubbed his eyes and stretched as he stood up. “Finally!” he said aloud to no one in particular, grateful that he had at last managed to balance the ledger. He shut the book with a bang and walked towards the front door, stretching as he went. As he walked outside, he saw Hoss over near the barn. “Finished the accounts?” asked Hoss, grinning at him.

 

Adam nodded as he stepped off the front porch. “Yes,” he said. “Finally. Have you done with the horseshoes?”

 

Hoss shook his head as he picked up a pile of them. “Ya know that there ain’t such a things as ever finishin with horseshoes round here brother.”

 

“True,” chuckled Adam. “Joe back from town yet?”

 

“I ain’t seen him,” said Hoss. “And Hop Sing is hopping mad with him too. He’s been waiting on them supplies all day.”

 

Adam shook his head. “If that kid has …”  He stopped as he heard the rumbling of the buckboard around the other side of the barn. “That sounds like him now. Just as well.”  both brothers turned to see Joe driving the buckboard into the front yard, followed by ….

 

“Doc Martin!” said Hoss in amazement as he saw the doctor in his buggy behind Joe and the buckboard. “What you doing out here Doc?”

 

Paul Martin drew the buggy to a halt and got down. “Visiting your father of course,” he said as he got his black bag down from the seat. “Joe told me how bad he is.”

 

Adam and Hoss both stared at Joe who looked away. “I see,” said Adam. “Well you’d better come upstairs and see him then.” He motioned to Hoss. “Bring little brother along Hoss. I have a feeling that Pa is going to want to see him.”

 

“So what is exactly wrong with Ben, Adam?” asked Paul as they climbed the stairs. Behind them, Hoss propelled an objecting Joe up the stairs as well.

 

“He has a headache,” replied Adam.

 

“I see,” said Paul. “And what are his other symptoms?”

 

“That’s it,” said Adam dryly. “Just the headache.”

 

Paul turned to face Joe on the stairs below them. “Do you mean to tell me that you dragged me all the way out here to see your Pa because he has a headache, boy?” he demanded.

 

Joe stepped down one step, but was hauled up again by Hoss. “Well, it’s a real bad one,” he said defiantly. “Pa never goes ta bed for no reason, we all know that. He looked real sick this morning Doc and I …” he glanced at Adam and Hoss defiantly. “I’m real worried bout him Doc, even if no one else around here is!”

 

Paul Martin shook his head. “I see,” he replied. “Well let’s take a look at him then, shall we?” they all climbed to the top of the stairs and walked down the hallway towards Ben’s bedroom. Ben looked up from the book he was reading in amazement. “Paul!” he exclaimed. “What on earth are you doing here?”

 

“Seeing you, apparently,” said Paul, putting his bag down on the bed.

 

Ben gave the man a puzzled look. “But I’m not sick,” he said. “I’ve just got a ….”

 

“You’ve just got a headache,” Paul finished for him. “I realise that now, but that’s not quite the story I got from your youngest son in town earlier this afternoon.”

 

Ben gave Joe a dark look and Joe tried to smile at his father. “I was real worried bout you Pa,” he said quickly. “I thought it would be best for the Doc ta take a look at you.”

 

“Do you mean to tell me that this … son of mine … dragged you all the way out here because of my headache?” asked Ben incredulously. “I’m sorry Paul, but I think that someone has been overreacting.”

 

“That’s alright,” said Paul with a chuckle. I enjoyed the ride and I’d welcome the chance to have one of Hop Sing’s cups of coffee as long as I’m here.”

 

“Ain’t you gonna check Pa out?” said Joe, stepping forward, then stepping back again as he saw the look on Ben’s face. “I guess ya ain’t,” he mumbled.

 

“Joseph, I appreciate your concern son,” said Ben, trying to keep his temper. “But I’m fine and Paul is a busy man. There was no need to bring him out here like this.”

 

“I’ll just check you over while I’m here,” said Paul and then put up his hand to silence Ben as the other man opened his mouth to object. “At least I won’t have wasted the trip if I do,” he said.

 

At that moment, Hop Sing entered the room with a steaming hot cup of something in his hands. “What doctor doing here?” he demanded.

 

“Joe brought him out ta check Pa over,” explained Hoss.

 

Hop Sing frowned at them all and then put the cup down on the dresser with a bang, spilling half it’s contents in the process. “What for you bring doctor?” he asked Joe angrily. “Think Hop Sing not take care of father good?”

 

“It’s not that Hop Sing,” protested Joe.

 

“You not trust Hop Sing look after father’s headache!” shouted Hop Sing angrily. “Hop Sing not appreciated! Spend all day making medicine to fix Mr Ben headache and no one want! First Mr Ben say not taste good, then him say not work, now number three son bring doctor! Hop Sing not wanted! Hop Sing go back Old China!”

 

Ben sighed as the man flounced out of the room. “Well thank you very much Joseph,” he said wearily. “Would you please go after him and calm him down?”

 

“OK Pa,” said Joe.

 

“I’d better go and help him,” said Adam. “You know how Hop Sing gets. This might take two of us.”

 

“I’ll leave ya ta check Pa out,” said Hoss. “I’d better get back to them horseshoes.”

 

Ben rubbed his temples as his three sons left the room.

 

“I can see why you’ve can’t get rid of that headache,” said Paul sympathetically as he sat down.

 

 

——————-

 

 

“What did you find out Doc?” asked Hoss as the doctor left the house and walked towards his buggy. “Did ya check Pa over?”

 

“I certainly did,” said Paul, hitching up the reins. “And I’ve come to the conclusion that he has a headache.”

 

Hoss nodded. “Thought so,” he said wisely.

 

“Hoss, do me a favour please?” said Paul.

 

“Sure Doc,” said Hoss. “What?”

 

“Keep that younger brother of yours out of town for a while.”

 

“I’ll sure try Doc,” replied Hoss with a grin. “But you know what Joe’s like.”

 

“I certainly do,” said Paul with a sigh. They both turned as they heard a loud bang from the kitchen. “I thought Adam and Joe would have had Hop Sing calmed down about me being here by now,” Paul said.

 

“Oh they calmed him down bout that,” said Hoss. “But now he’s angry cause Joe didn’t bring back all his supplies.”

 

Paul shook his head. “I see,” he said. “Well goodbye Hoss.”

 

“Bye Doc,” said Hoss with a grin and began to whistle as he picked up another pile of horseshoes to work on. He looked up as his father came out of the house, fully dressed. “Is ya headache better now Pa?” he asked.

 

Ben shook his head as he sat down on the bench on the front porch. “Not really,” he said. “But I thought the fresh air might do me some good. I’m certainly not getting any rest upstairs.” He closed his eyes and leant back on his chair far enough so that his head rested on the wall of the house. Slowly he filled his lungs with the fresh mountain air and felt himself beginning to relax. It’s about time, he thought sleepily.

 

Suddenly the kitchen door opening with a bang and Hop Sing emerged from the house waving a wooden spoon above his head. “Well it ain’t my fault!” shouted Joe, coming out of the house behind him and deftly sidestepping the swinging spoon. “I already told ya that they didn’t have none!”

 

Hop Sing leant and out and swiped him on the head with the spoon. “They have plenty!” he shouted. “You forget to ask!”

 

“Well if it wasn’t on the list then I can’t be blamed for forgetting!” said Joe indignantly. “Ya should have put it on the list instead of just telling me.”

 

“What about all things Hop Sing put on list that you not get anyway?” Hop Sing demanded, rustling through the supplies on the back of the wagon. “No sugar …. that on list! No raisins .. that on list!” He hit Joe on the side of the head again. “No dessert tonight for supper if no sugar and no raisins!” he shouted.

 

“Well thanks a lot Joe!” said Hoss angrily. “Now we don’t get no dessert fer supper!”

 

“Ain’t my fault!” shouted Joe, putting his hands on his hips.

 

Ben opened his eyes and sighed. He stood up and walked back into the house, closing the door behind him to shut out the three shouting voices in the yard. “Back so soon?” said Adam, looking up from his position in front of the fireplace. “Too cold outside for your head?”

 

“No,” said Ben. “Too noisy. It seems that Joe didn’t bring back all the supplies that Hop Sing wanted.”

 

Adam nodded and went back to reading his book, drumming his fingers on the coffee table aimlessly as he did so.

 

“Do you mind?” said Ben, pointing to them.

 

“What? Oh sorry Pa,” said Adam, taking his hand off the table. “Head still bad?”

 

“Yes,” said Ben, sitting down and staring into the fireplace. The glow of the fire warmed him and the soft popping of the logs in the grate was relaxing.

 

Suddenly the front door opened and Hoss came in carrying a huge armful of logs. “Here’s some of that wood I cut this morning,” he said, dropping it near the wood box next to the fireplace.

 

“Hoss please!” said Ben, massaging his temples as the wood clattered all over the floor. “Did you have to drop it so noisily?”

 

“Sorry Pa,” said Hoss. “I’ll pick it all up.”

 

“Well do it quietly please,” said Ben closing his eyes again.

 

The front door banged again. “That Hop Sing,” said Joe angrily as he stormed into the room. “Someone should tell him that …” He stopped as Adam put his finger to his lips and gestured towards their father. “Sorry,” said Joe in a quieter voice. He sat down on one of the easy chairs and stared at Ben sadly for a few minutes.

 

Ben opened his eyes and saw his son staring at him. “Joe, will you please stop looking at me and go and do something?” he asked.

 

“Sorry Pa,” said Joe. “I was just thinking bout what I could do to help you.”

 

“The best thing you can do son is to leave me in peace,” said his father firmly. “In fact all of you just leave me alone!” he snapped. “I’m going back upstairs and I don’t want anyone … and I mean anyone … to disturb me! Is that clear?”

 

“Sure thing Pa,” said Hoss, still picking up the wood.

 

“Of course,” said Adam.

 

“Hmph!” said Hop Sing grumpily as he banged some plates down on the table in the dining room.

 

“But Pa …” began Joe.

 

“Anyone!” thundered Ben. “I am going back to bed … if I’m lucky perhaps I’ll get some sleep …  and the next person who disturbs me will wish that he hadn’t!” he stomped up the stairs, rubbing his temples with his forefingers.

 

There was silence in the room for a couple of minutes and then Joe broke it. “Well he’s real crabby ain’t he?” he said. “What’s got into him?”

 

“He has a headache,” said Adam sarcastically. “In case you’d forgotten?”

 

“Well it ain’t my fault!” said Joe. “I’ve been trying to help.”

 

“Fat lot of help you’ve been,” said Adam. “Wasting all morning and making a nuisance of yourself, and then dragging poor Paul out here for nothing. Not to mention getting Hop Sing angry.”

 

“I was only trying to help,” declared Joe defensively. “I was worried about Pa.”

 

“We’re all worried bout Pa little brother,” said Hoss, picking up the last of the wood. “But we don’t carry on bout it like you do.”

 

“Supper ready!” said Hop Sing, banging another plate on the table and glaring at them all.

 

“Well you weren’t helping either Hoss!’ declared Joe loudly, ignoring the cook’s remark. “You were making all that noise so that Pa couldn’t sleep!”

 

Hoss took a step forward and pointed his finger at Joe. “Doing your chores I’ll remind ya Joe!” he shouted. “Don’t bother ta thank me or nothing!”

 

“Well I was doing Adam’s work!” shouted Joe.

 

“Supper ready!” shouted Hop Sing waving his arms around angrily.

 

“Now see here,” said Adam, standing up and approaching both his brothers. “You offered to go to town for one reason … to get out of doing your chores and you know it Joe. I wasn’t exactly doing nothing all day either. I had the accounts to do!”

 

“Sitting down writing numbers!” shouted Joe. “How hard is that!”

 

“No one listen!” shouted Hop Sing. “Hop Sing go back Old China! No one want eat cooking!” He stormed out of the room and shut the kitchen door with a loud bang.

 

“Now see what you’ve done!” shouted Adam, to Joe. “I had to calm him down once already today because of you!”

 

“Because of me!”  shouted Joe.

 

Upstairs, Ben sat on the edge of his bed holding his thumping head in his hands, listening to the shouting downstairs and the banging of the kitchen door. “Lord give me patience!” he muttered, rubbing his temples. “And they wonder why I have a headache!” He stood up and paced up and down the room a couple of times before going to the door and opening it again. He strode down the hallway and stood at the top of the stairs, glaring down at his three sons who were still shouting at each other.

 

A minute later, Adam noticed his father standing there and motioned to the other two to be quiet. “Sorry Pa,” he said. “Did we wake you?”

 

“No you didn’t wake me, because I didn’t have the chance top get any sleep in the first place,” said Ben, clenching his jaw. “I have something to say to you all!” he snapped. “You too Hop Sing,” he added as he saw the cook looking around the wall from the kitchen to see why all the shouting had finally stopped.

 

“What is it Pa?” asked Joe. “Do you want us ta do something for you?”

 

“I most certainly do,” said Ben. “Hop Sing, you have tomorrow off. Use it to go and visit one of your numerous cousins or whatever you feel like.”

 

Hop Sing’s face lit up at Ben’s words. “Yes sir Mr Cartwright,” he said happily.

 

“And you three …” Ben pointed his finger at his three sons who all stared back at him apprehensively. “You three may as well go into town tonight as you’re having the day off tomorrow as well.”

 

“What?” said Adam, glancing at his two brothers in surprise. “How come Pa?”

 

“Yeah … how come Pa?” asked Hoss.

 

“Because I am feeling generous,” said Ben wearily. “Now go into town and enjoy yourselves boys.”

 

Joe ran across the room and picked up his hat quickly, wanting to get out of the room before his father changed his mind. “Thanks Pa!” he shouted. “Come on Hoss! Sounds like we’ll be having a day of fishing tomorrow.”

 

Hoss walked after his younger brother. “See ya later Pa,” he said. “Thanks.”

 

Adam gave Ben a puzzled look. “Are you sure Pa?” he asked.

 

“Yes I’m sure son,” said Ben. “I’m most definitely sure.” He watched happily as the room emptied quickly of all his sons and then walked back towards his bedroom again. He sank down on the bed and held his head as he listened to the sound of three horses trotting out of the front yard. “Ah!” he said happily as his head touched the pillow. “Now that was worth it!” He closed his eyes in relief and listened to the silence around him as he drifted into sleep.

 

 

The End