Summary:  Looking back on one night, when he was twenty.  A Bonanza Brand 20th Anniversary Writing Challenge
Rating:  G   (1,235 words)

When I was Twenty…

When I was seventeen, it wasn’t a very good year; watching Pa suffer the loss of his third wife.

In response to my own mother’s death, he bundled the infant me up and headed west.  Six years later, I watched as my stepmother died during an Indian attack.  With my infant brother in my arms, we continue west.  And now, eleven years later, we have a home on the Ponderosa, but still Pa felt the need to leave; for two months he was missing with barely a word to his three sons.

Pa did return home full of remorse for his actions.  Hoss immediately accepted and forgave.  I guess you could say I was a little weary, but by that night, Pa and I reconciled.  What took more time than either of us expected was Little Joe’s reaction.  He ran way from Pa’s outstretched arms, straight to me.  It took about two months for Joe to willingly curl up in Pa’s lap of an evening or allow Pa to tuck him into bed without Hoss or myself encouraging him to accept.

#####

Nine months after Pa’s return, he offered me the chance of a lifetime.  He’d submitted my school records to the dean at Harvard University and petitioned my entrance.   On my next birthday I was presented an acceptance letter, as well as a letter from Abel Stoddard.  I was going to fulfil my dreams of learning about engineering and architecture, and meet my grandfather.

Quickly, my trunks were packed with only one hiccup.  The morning of my departure, I found Joe stowing away inside one.  With a promise to write weekly, he finally exited my luggage and allowed Hop Sing and I to repack my clothes that surprisingly were neatly stacked in the bottom of my closet.

#####

And now, looking back… When I was twenty I can say, life was looking…up.  Literally.

It was the year-end celebration dinner, honoring those who were at the top of their class, regardless of their field of study.  Yeah, I was one of the honorees.

I’d entered the dining hall with my roommate Ashley Benton and a few other friends, who ultimately made their way to other tables, where their families waited, only to find myself alone at a table set for seven.  There were name placards for the University President and his wife, as well as me, but the other four chairs only stated ‘Guests’.

All the tables were full, except for where I sat, which was surprising because I’d heard the President and his wife were always early to greet the students and their family members who could come.  The hall quieted when the doors opened allowing their entrance.  My chair toppled backwards to the floor when I stood in shock.   Mrs.  Sparks entered not on the arm of her husband, but rather my grandfather.  Next came President Sparks and Hoss, followed by Pa with Joe in his arms.  I never imagined seeing my family until I graduated next year.

Standing there as my family assembled around the table, Hoss was the first to speak, “Yore gonna catch flies if ya keep yer mouth open like that.”

Closing my mouth, it opened again in laughter at Little Joe’s shout of, “SURPRISE ADAM!” to which Pa was too late to cover his mouth.

Pa greeted me warmly with a hug after setting Joe to his chair.  “Hello Son, surprise,” before pulling me into a hug.  Grandfather Stoddard offered me a handshake and a smile, letting me know that he hadn’t been ‘under the weather’ that morning as I left for school.  I knew now of his subterfuge and quietly spoke, “You’re forgiven.”

Dinner was a rambunctious affair, so like what I remembered back home.  What I always imagined as a stuffy dinner was alive.

After dessert and coffee was served, including one glass of cold milk, President Sparks walked to the podium for the evening’s presentation.  We sat through the names and accomplishments of many of my peers.  Quietly, I wondered when I would be recognized; Little Joe was starting to squirm and try Pa’s patience.

“Tonight I am here to not only recognize an underclassman for his accomplishments for his studies but to also announce that one of his school projects is under consideration for an upcoming multi-story hotel to be built in Cambridge.”

Where I would be expecting applause, the room quieted.  It wasn’t only me who was shocked.  I’d never heard of such, and I guess no one else had either.  I wondered what Ashley had done to deserve such praise.

“I must say, when the building committee reached out to me, they actually thought the design was so good that it had to come from one of our faculty who didn’t want to be known.  After doing some internal investigating, we learned that the design was submitted as a practical joke, with the designer unaware.”

I looked towards where Ashley and his family were sitting.  Yeah, he knew.  Look at his blush.

“The committee advised me of the twenty-five designs submitted, the one submitted of an Adam Cartwright design, is among the five finalists being considered.”

It took a moment to realize President Sparks had spoken my name.

Hoss leaned over, “Close yer mouth, big brother.”

Shaking my head, I saw Pa and Grandfather beaming, they knew.  That explains their presence.

#####

With Grandfather watching my brothers, Pa and I stopped at a nearby tavern for a private celebration.

“I don’t know what to say,” I said after the barmaid left having set our draughts on the tabletop.

“I’m proud of you son.”

“But how did you know?” It’s not like we live close to Boston.  It takes time to travel from Nevada.

“Abel wired us once President Sparks advised him that your work was seriously being considered.”  Pa sipped from the mug, “We didn’t know you had made it through to the final five until tonight.”

“But still, to come all this way.  The ranch has to be busy.”

“Adam, I also received a letter from Abel.  He spoke that you were experiencing a case of homesickness, more so than you had since you arrived.”

Humbly, I nodded.  “Yeah, hearing everyone else talk of going home for the summer and all their plans of family.  It struck harder this year.  I spoke with Grandfather at length, and accepted that it would be another year before I would see you.”

“Cheer up son,” Pa settled his hand to my forearm, recognizing I was still a little homesick.  “Imagine my son, designing a building… how tall was it?”

“Seven stories.”

“That’s a long way up.”

“A long way from Nevada,” I answered.

“But you did it, son.  You’ve made a name for yourself, a name you can be proud of.”

“I didn’t think Grandfather would write you.”  In a way, I still couldn’t believe my family was there.

With a twinkle of the eye that I recognized as ‘it’s a father’s prerogative’, I accept Grandfathers and Fathers were all of the same mold.  And I was happy.

#####

I remember snuggling into my bed that night, doubting that my work would be chosen for the final selection, but I was quite honored for the consideration.  Besides, I got to see my family all together.  Life was looking up.

Yes, when I was twenty, it was a very good year.