Rated PG-13\u00a0 (Violence and Thematic Elements)<\/p>\n
Word Count – 30,501<\/p>\n
Summary –\u00a0 Told in jigsaw puzzle fashion, follow Adam Cartwright as pieces\u00a0from the past eventually come together to form his future in this story of love, courage, and sacrifice.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Cracked Up<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben cursed under his breath as he reached down to pick up a large blue and white china platter. The filthy dish was doing its best to still appear regal wedged atop a hard packed pile of earth. Scattered nearby, numerous stones gave clear evidence as to who the culprit was. I never should have let Hoss give Little Joe that sling shot.<\/em> Using his sleeve, Ben began to wipe some of the dust from the dish, and gasped when it suddenly cracked leaving a jagged line straight down the middle. A moment later, he was halfway back to the house and his youngest son\u2019s name could be heard ringing out as far as the south pasture. \u201cHoss, where\u2019s your little brother?\u201d Ben demanded upon entering the house. He closed the door solidly behind him, and Hoss, mid-reach for an apple, stood up quickly.<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno, Pa, last I saw he-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here, Pa,\u201d the five-year-old\u2019s voice called from the top of the stairs. \u201cYou lookin\u2019 for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am, young man. Come over here please.\u201d Ben pointed to a spot on the floor directly in front of him, and Little Joe bounded down the steps, seemingly undisturbed by his pa\u2019s steely gaze and low tone. Hoss however had picked up on the fact that someone was soon to be in big trouble, and sank quietly into a nearby seat, hoping against hope that whatever little Joe had done, he hadn\u2019t been a part of it.<\/p>\n Little Joe skipped to his pa and tipped up his face innocently. \u201cYes, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben pulled the dish he\u2019d been sheltering inside his vest out and brought it down for his son to see. \u201cJoseph, I just found this outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did? Gee, Pa, what were you doin\u2019 outside? You said me and Hoss had to stay inside \u2018cause it\u2019s gonna rain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t matter-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t? Than how come we couldn\u2019t go outside?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe, that\u2019s not what I\u2019m talking about right now-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, huh, Pa. I just heard you. You were talkin\u2019 about bein\u2019 outside, and you said that we shouldn\u2019t go out \u2018cause it was gonna rain real hard.\u201d Little Joe crossed his arms and set his jaw, daring his pa to object.<\/p>\n Ben decided to try a different tack. \u201cThat brings me to another point, young man. If I told you not to go out this morning, then how did this plate end up in the dirt?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe blinked a few times before answering. \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell me not to go outside this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sucked in a breath. \u201cLittle Joe, you just said that I told you not to go outside this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou didn\u2019t tell me that til after lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben slowly ran a hand across his face then glared across the room, silencing the giggles coming from his middle son. \u201cSo you took the dish outside this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben considered turning around and leaving for a long walk, but his sense of fatherly duty wouldn\u2019t allow him to run. Instead, he slowly sank to one knee and looked straight into his son\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI found this plate outside covered in dirt. Somebody had been shooting rocks at it, and-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, when I can I shoot a gun?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYoung man, you would do well to stop interrupting me. Now just look at the crack on this plate. It\u2019s ruined.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe looked at the plate as if seeing it for the first time, and his mouth dropped open.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you broke it!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGosh, Pa,\u201d Hoss\u2019s voice joined in from across the room. \u201cThat\u2019s mama\u2019s favorite platter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoys . . . you . . . that\u2019s . . .\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stopped as a little hand reached out and patted his shoulder. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, pa, she\u2019ll forgive you if you tell the truth.\u201d The curly-haired boy gave his pa a quick hug before running back to the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Hoss, it\u2019s your turn to find me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stared wide-eyed as his two youngest boys ran up the steps. He jumped slightly when they slammed the bedroom door, and the abused platter promptly broke into two perfectly uniform pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cBen Cartwright!\u201d Marie exclaimed, coming from the kitchen. \u201cMy best platter. Oh!\u201d Grabbing the two broken pieces, she gave her husband a withering glare before turning and stomping back into the kitchen.<\/p>\n Ben stood frozen to the spot until a loud clap of thunder brought him back to the present. The harsh sound of rain pounding against the roof and windows was outdone by the loud banging and occasional French exclamations coming from the kitchen. He sighed and then glanced up at the sounds of his sons\u2019 laughter as they ran across the halls, then pushing out his chest, he set his gaze and headed for the stairs. No, Little Joe, it\u2019s my turn to find you. Let round two begin . . .<\/p>\n Ben squared his shoulders and marched to the stairs taking them two at a time. He opened his mouth to call for his youngest son, and an ear piercing wail sounded. He quickly closed his mouth, confused for a moment as to whether or not the sound had come from him, but then more shrieks began to echo through the hall and he sped toward Hoss\u2019s room.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d he asked, bursting into the bedroom.<\/p>\n Hoss, in an apparent state of shock, merely pointed to his younger brother. Ben crossed the room to Little Joe who was clutching a bloody hand to his chest. Grabbing the wailing child, he rushed him downstairs where he was met by a wide-eyed Marie. After the usual, \u201cwhat happened-I don\u2019t know-give me my baby\u201d routine, Ben followed Marie into the kitchen. Hop Sing, having heard the cries, had already put a pot of water on to boil and had his medicine bag ready. Ten minutes of screaming the scales in the key of F later, they managed to get Little Joe to let go of his hand, and it was determined that the boy\u2019s left ring finger was going to need a few stitches. Little Joe\u2019s cries rose two pitches in both volume and intensity, as Marie left to retrieve her sewing basket, and Ben took on the unpleasant task of restraining him. He managed to dodge most of Little Joe\u2019s kicks, but a few made contact, and Ben half sat half fell into a chair at the kitchen table. Unfortunately, Ben couldn\u2019t hold his son down and cover the boy\u2019s mouth at the same time, and at the end of the first stitch, He was pretty sure he was going to be permanently deaf. By the time sixth and final stitch had been neatly delivered, Little Joe\u2019s finger was wrapped up tight, and all signs of blood removed from his sight, both father, son, mother, brother, and cook were exhausted.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d Adam asked, entering the kitchen through the outside door. His eyes grew wide as he took in the mess in the room and the disheveled appearance of the person\u2019s residing there.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss slammed my finger in the door,\u201d Little Joe hiccupped from his mother\u2019s lap, slowly lifting his bandaged finger.<\/p>\n \u201cI did not! Well . . . it were an accident,\u201d Hoss defended.<\/p>\n Ben was too spent to speak, but he rolled his eyes in Hoss\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, he was my prisoner. He was tryin\u2019 to escape.\u201d Hoss threw his hands up in the air, the expression on his face clearing stating that was all the explanation that was necessary.<\/p>\n Ben was trying to decide whether he should start laughing or start yelling when Marie stepped in.<\/p>\n \u201cCome, mon ange<\/em>, it is time for bed. You need rest to get strong again.\u201d Little Joe held onto his mother as she carried him from the room.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d Little Joe said, suddenly lifting his head from his mother\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou aren\u2019t still mad at me about that plate, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben started. Of all the . . . For a brief moment, he wondered if Little Joe had planned the whole ordeal as a distraction. Forcing himself to remain calm he answered, \u201cWe\u2019ll discuss that in the morning, son. For now, you just get your rest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Pa.\u201d Little Joe snuggled back down into his mother\u2019s arms, and the last thing Ben heard was his son\u2019s sleepy, \u201cI love you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben leaned toward the table and let his head drop onto his hand. Round two with his youngest had just about done him in.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, boys,\u201d he said standing up and stretching the knots out of his back. \u201cI\u2019m think I\u2019m going to turn in early.\u201d<\/p>\n Both boys said goodnight, and Ben headed for his bedroom. As an afterthought he turned to Hoss. \u201cSon, next time your brother tries to escape . . . let him.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss nodded his head solemnly, and Ben patted his head.<\/p>\n Stopping at the cabinet near the stairs, Ben poured himself a brandy, then saluting toward his youngest son\u2019s room said, \u201cHere\u2019s to round three.\u201d<\/p>\n The next morning, Ben was up early ready to have more than a few words with his youngest son. Marie had gone on and on about losing her platter for, what Ben was sure, must have been long past midnight. Opening the door to Little Joe\u2019s bedroom, he stepped inside and started to call his son\u2019s name, but then realized the boy\u2019s bed was empty. He stepped into the hall and pulled out his pocket watch to double check the time.<\/p>\n \u201cHm, six fifteen,\u201d he mumbled, knowing instantly something was up. His youngest had never been an early riser. Considering it was Little Joe missing, he wasn\u2019t sure if he should check the corrals or the kitchen first. Being closer, he headed for the kitchen. As he neared the dining table he heard a scraping sound coming from the kitchen. Since he knew Hop Sing usually did his outside chores early, he figured he\u2019d found Little Joe. Sure enough, as he rounded the corner he saw Little Joe, and slowly crossing his arms across his chest, watched his son for a minute. The small boy was on his tippy toes on the counter, feeling around on top of one of the cabinets. Finally, Ben cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung man, what do you think you\u2019re doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe jumped and began wildly swinging his arms, trying to keep his balance. Ben quickly stepped forward and helped the boy to the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, you scared me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI imagine I did. Now, I asked what you were doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe grabbed the front of his knee-length night shirt and began twisting it in his hands. \u201cWell, I was just lookin\u2019 for something.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben placed his hands on his hips. \u201cWould that something happen to be the jacks Hop Sing took away from you a few days ago?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe started to shake his head, but then thought better of it. \u201cI was just checkin\u2019 to make sure they\u2019re still there.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben had to steel his heart, as Little Joe\u2019s expression began to resemble that of a lost puppy. He decided to let the matter of the jacks drop as it was, at the moment, the lesser of two evils. His son hadn\u2019t told the truth about the platter.<\/p>\n Lowering himself to one knee, Ben motioned for Little Joe to come closer to him. The boy took tiny steps, but finally stood before his father. The look on his face reminded Ben of the cow he\u2019d had to put down the week before, scared and miserable.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, son, never mind about the jacks. I want to finish talking to you about your mama\u2019s platter that broke yesterday. Little Joe looked a little less worried, but still cautious. \u201cI\u2019m only going to ask this once, and you had better tell me the truth.\u201d Little Joe nodded solemnly. \u201cDid you crack that dish?\u201d The little boy hesitated for a moment then shook his head. Ben drew his mouth into a straight line and then standing, took his son\u2019s arm. Little Joe instantly started talking as Ben pulled him out of the kitchen. \u201cPa, it just was chipped, and the rock did it, not me.\u201d Ben didn\u2019t stop walking as he spoke. \u201cJoseph, you were the one that shot the rock. That means you cracked it.\u201d Little Joe, having run out of things to say began whimpering, but Ben had made up his mind.<\/p>\n Twenty minutes later, Ben descended the stairs alone and joined his family at the breakfast table. Three sets of eyes immediately fastened on him; one curious, one mournful, one angry. He had no doubt that they had all heard his dealings with Little Joe. In fact, the young boy could still be heard.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Hoss, eat those flapjacks before they get cold,\u201d Ben said, trying not to let Hoss\u2019s sad expression make him feel guilty.<\/p>\n He decided to ignore the cold stares coming from the opposite end of the table, and turned instead to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what did he do?\u201d Adam asked before Ben had a chance to speak.<\/p>\n Normally, Ben would have told his oldest to mind his own matters, but he was desperate to get back into good standings with Marie.<\/p>\n \u201cHe broke your mother\u2019s favorite platter and then refused to tell the truth about it.\u201d Ben turned to watch Marie\u2019s reaction, and noted with some satisfaction the way she was now shifting uncomfortably. His moment of grace was short lived however.<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean the one he was bringing you yesterday afternoon?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n Ben turned back to him in confusion. \u201cBringing to me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOui<\/em>, I told him to bring you sandwiches,\u201d Marie spoke up.<\/p>\n \u201cI never got any sandwiches,\u201d Ben defended.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, no,\u201d Adam said. \u201cLittle Joe said when he passed the chickens he saw a bull snake inside the coup. He dropped the platter and shot rocks at the snake until he killed it. He asked me to skin it for him. I thought for sure he would have told you about it. He must have forgotten, what with cutting his finger and all.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben felt himself losing color and Marie\u2019s angry glare had returned with a vengeance.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, you\u2019re telling me he wasn\u2019t shooting at the dish,\u201d Ben asked keeping his eyes on Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, not at first. One of the rocks he was shooting at the snake chipped a piece off the back, so I told him it would be okay to use it for target practice,\u201d Adam turned to Marie. \u201cI guess I should have asked you first, but I didn\u2019t think you\u2019d mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Adam,\u201d she answered, keeping her eyes glued on Ben. \u201cI would not have minded.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben swallowed hard, and slowly rose from the table. \u201cI, uh, think I\u2019ll go talk to Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie huffed and Ben hurried past her. Halfway up the stairs, he tried not to roll his eyes when he heard Hoss begin recounting the misfortunes of his \u201cpoor\u201d little brother.<\/p>\n Later that night, Little Joe sat asleep on Ben\u2019s knee on the big leather chair in front of the fireplace. That day, he\u2019d been given his jacks back, been allowed to go to the \u201cbig\u201d corrals with Adam, go crawdad fishing with Hoss, had his favorite desert made by Marie, and spend the entire evening playing checkers followed by a bedtime story with Pa.<\/p>\n As Ben laid the small boy on his bed a short time later, and pulled the covers up around his shoulders, he couldn\u2019t help but chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201c . . . and,\u201d he said smoothing back the boy\u2019s hair. \u201cI declare you the winner.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rated PG-13\u00a0 (Violence and Thematic Elements)<\/p>\n Word Count – 30,501<\/p>\n Summary –\u00a0 Told in jigsaw puzzle fashion, follow Adam Cartwright as pieces\u00a0from the past eventually come together to form his future in this story of love, courage, and sacrifice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":6039,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,30],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-10354","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-prequels","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Recipe.jpg?fit=626%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10354"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10354\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nThe End<\/p>\n