{"id":12079,"date":"2005-02-01T08:11:23","date_gmt":"2005-02-01T13:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12079"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:09","slug":"a-better-day-tomorrow-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12079","title":{"rendered":"A Better Day, Tomorrow (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/strong>Caught in the middle of a family argument turned ugly and having to face his own\u00a0irate father, Joe bears the blunt of both family’s wrath.\u00a0 He isn’t the only one who learns something from the experience.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 <\/strong>PG Deals with domestic violence (6,250 words)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Better Day, Tomorrow<\/strong><\/p>\n

The weary young man, leaving his horse standing at the hitching post, staggered toward the house. His day had been one of the worst he could ever remember and he wished at that moment he had never been born. So much had happened over the course of the last several hours that things had begun to run together and Joe could barely recall what had happened first that set the events into motion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had risen at sunrise to get an early start mending the fences in the north pasture. He vaguely recalled promising his father to be home early enough to be ready for the special guests that had been invited to supper. Pa had said something about the gentleman and his wife being old friends from back east that were passing through on their way to San Francisco and had wired him about wanting to stop by for a day or so to meet his sons. The promise, made in what Joe had laughingly called \u2018the pre-dawn hours\u2019 had long since been forgotten but had suddenly reappeared in a hauntingly strange manner.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had joined his brother about mid-morning, bringing more fencing and the supplies needed to complete the project. Then about noon, they had worked their way further down the fencerow only to find more downed fencing and to add to their bad luck had run out of nails. Adam had volunteered to ride the long way back to the ranch to fetch the necessary items. It had seemed, to Joe, that Adam had been gone much longer than necessary just to fetch some nails and he had just about decided to call it quits when everything suddenly went berserk. After that, it all became a blur. Now, here he was, home\u2026much, much later than he\u2019d promised his father\u2026and with so much to give explanations for that his head had begun hurt, as if there was a dull buzzing sound inside.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had just about reached the door when abruptly it was yanked opened and Joe found himself standing face to face with his father, looking into the dark, brooding, angry eyes of the man who towered over him. Had it been any other man but the man who had given him life, the younger man might have cowered in fear of the distorted expression on the weather-bronzed face of the man in front of him. Suddenly, his weariness engulfed him much as a cloak would cover a man\u2019s entire body, and Joe unexpectedly felt weak in the knees. He needed to sit down in the worst way, but his father\u2019s broad physique blocked the doorway and his chance to rest in a comfortable, quite place. Joe\u2019s downtrodden expression was over looked as Ben glared down at his son. His father\u2019s voice trembled somewhat when he spoke, so deeply embedded was his anger at his disobedient son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJUST WHERE IN BLAZES HAVE YOU BEEN!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was more a commanding statement than a demand for information and facts.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s troubled eyes moved upward to look into his father\u2019s face. There was no missing the rage that lay just beneath the surface of his expression, yet the fury seemed excessive for the paltry misdemeanor of being late that he had committed, thought Joe in a flash.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can explain, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOhhh, I\u2019m sure you can\u2026GET INSIDE!\u201d growled Ben, moving aside to allow admittance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard, stepping just inside the house and pausing at the credenza to remove his gunbelt. Ben shoved the door closed. It banged loudly and Joe chanced another peek at his father\u2019s face. The incensed glare only deepened. Joe twisted his hat around nervously in his hands. He had the passing thought that his evening was not going to be much better than his day had been.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry, Pa\u2026\u201d he stammered, looking much like the little boy he had been just a few short yeas ago.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNOT NEARLY AS SORRY AS YOU\u2019RE GOING TO BE!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI said I could explain\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not in any mood for your excuses, young man!\u201d Ben shouted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe tossed his hat on the table behind the door and slowly moved into the room. He noticed Hoss sitting silently in the blue chair at the base of the staircase. His middle brother had a forlorn look on his rotund face, but Joe had only seconds to reflect on it before his father began shouting at him again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know the trouble that you have caused me this afternoon, young man? Where in blazes have you been all day\u2026Oh, don\u2019t even try to make excuses!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had just opened his mouth to explain his tardiness but his father had cut him off, not giving him a chance to tell his why\u2019s and what for\u2019s\u2026God he was so tired, so heartsick about what had transpired\u2026he felt as if he wanted to lie down and die\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pa was shouting at him again. His intensely heated words were beginning to run together, they didn\u2019t make any sense to the one they were directed at. What did Pa just say\u2026something about Adam\u2026Oh yeah\u2026Adam\u2026he was put out a bit with his oldest brother too, for not coming back with the needed nails\u2026hurt? Adam was hurt? Is that what Pa said\u2026and the company\u2026they went away without getting any supper? Adam\u2019s leg was broken\u2026he what? Hop Sing was upset, going to go back to China\u2026all because of him\u2026what had he done to the little servant man\u2026Adam could have died? His fault\u2026how could it have been his fault\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I was somewhere else\u2026I\u2026oh\u2026my head\u2026there had been so much blood\u2026and screaming\u2026his friend Matt\u2026oh God\u2026Matt\u2026I can\u2019t believe you\u2019re gone\u2026your father\u2026the boy\u2026Mrs. Cameron\u2026dear God\u2026why won\u2019t Pa let me explain\u2026why is he shouting\u2026I need him to listen to me\u2026I need him\u2026please, Pa\u2026I did something horrible today\u2026and I want to tell you\u2026please\u2026I need you\u2026Pa\u2026Pa\u2026help me\u2026please\u2026Pa!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH, YOU HAVEN\u2019T HEARD ONE WORD I\u2019VE SAID!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s hazel eyes squinted, as if a sharp pain had surged through his head. His brow furrowed deeply. He covered his face with his hands\u2026hands that shook uncontrollably. Everything in the room began to whirl in front of his eyes\u2026it was getting darker\u2026darker\u2026his body was so weary\u2026it shook violently\u2026he felt as if he were falling\u2026down, down, down\u2026BANG\u2026his head hit the hard wooden floor and everything that had flashed before him was no more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOE!\u201d shouted Ben, snapping from his frenzied world of anger, returning to the present and the boy who now lay in a crumbled heap at his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026help me, son,\u201d Ben called to his middle son, who by now, had already sprung from his seat and was halfway across the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tenderly, his rage no longer pronounced on his face, Ben lifted his son\u2019s head from the hard floor and pulled the boy to his breast. With his own hands that shook slightly, he gently patted the flushed cheeks, trying desperately to awaken his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, wake up, son\u2026come on boy, open your eyes,\u201d he cooed. \u201cHoss, help me get him to the settee.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together, Ben and Hoss lifted Joe and carried him to the couch where they gently placed the unresponsive boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet some brandy,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss complied and quickly poured a small glass, handing it to his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere ya go, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hoss,\u201d Ben said, taking the glass while glancing into his middle son\u2019s worried face. \u201cHe\u2019s just fainted, son, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be alright\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben turned his attention back to his youngest son, offering the boy a sip of the brandy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, son\u2026wake up and drink this for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lifting Joe\u2019s head slightly and placing the rim of the glass to his lips, Ben offered the brandy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it\u2026take a sip.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe began to move his head from side to side, trying to open his eyes, but it was useless, his body was too exhausted to oblige him. Softly, the boy moaned, a small tear appeared in the corner of his eye and Ben watched as the lone minuet bead of water rolled apathetically down the side of his son\u2019s face. It was only then that the concerned father noticed for the first time, the bruise that marred the left side of the boy\u2019s handsome face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss, will you look at this, your brother has been in a fight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s strange\u2026wonder with whom?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing bring water\u2026to wash boy\u2019s face\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The loyal servant seemed to always know what was needed and when. His expert time had always left the family amazed. He placed the bowl of water on the table next to Ben and then stepped back. His own oval face and almond eyes, showed his concern for the youngest member of the family that he claimed as his own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d Ben said as he wrung the water from the soft cloth and laid it across Joe\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI sorry, Boss\u2026Hop Sing not mean to say nasty things about number three son\u2026I not go back to China\u2026I not care that supper ruined\u2026or guests angry\u2026I care only for sons\u2026Mr. Adam who has broken leg and for Lit\u2019le Joe who sick inside with grief and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s dark eyes shot upward, starring at the little man in confusion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGrief? I don\u2019t understand, Hop Sing, what on earth are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing pointed to the unconscious boy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLit\u2019le Joe\u2026he hurting inside\u2026something happen to make boy verly sad\u2026see how his body quiver? He sad\u2026verly, verly sad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing padded silently back to his kitchen, leaving Hoss and his father to wonder at the meaning behind the strange words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t get him to wake up, Hoss. Let\u2019s get him in bed and have someone ride into town and fetch Doc Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to him?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019ve already told you, he collapsed downstairs. Pa\u2019s with Doc and Little Joe now,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had been sent from his younger brother\u2019s room as soon as the doctor had arrived. His father had been asked to leave as well, but Ben had refused to vacate the room, insisting that he stay by the boy\u2019s side until he was certain that his son was alright. It frightened him that Joe had not yet awakened; Ben feared that more might be wrong with the lad than just merely fainting. Hop Sing\u2019s words lingered in the back of his mind encasing him with an unease that troubled him. The bruises on Joe\u2019s face and the fact that his unresponsive body trembled even in his world of oblivion added to his mounting unrest of the events that had caused one son to be injured and another to collapse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss had gone, not without an argument, but agreed to check on his older brother only after both his father and the doctor promised to call him once Doc finished with his exam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s the leg?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHurts like hell,\u201d Adam complained. \u201cWhat was the boy\u2019s excuse\u2026why wasn\u2019t he there when I got back with the nails? What reason did he give for taking off\u2026he left the team, the wagon\u2026the supplies\u2026everything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss signed deeply. It had been a long day, nothing had gone right\u2026for any of them it seemed\u2026and everyone was on edge, snapping and snarling at the others. Everyone that is, except for Little Joe\u2026he just collapsed\u2026but for what reason?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI done told ya, Adam\u2026he ain\u2019t said why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2026he just stood there and didn\u2019t say anything? I find THAT hard to believe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s true\u2026to be honest with ya, Adam\u2026Pa didn\u2019t give Joe much of a chance to say anything\u2026whew\u2026he sure was mad at the boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe should have been. Hoss, do you realize\u2026Joe walked off the job\u2026he left two good horses standing in the hot sun\u2026he wasn\u2019t where he was suppose to be\u2026he was off doing\u2026God knows what\u2026and then, when I get there and find the mess he\u2019d made\u2026I\u2019m left to straighten out the fence, it snaps, spooks the team, they break free and bolt, I\u2019m knocked up in the air\u2026half way to heaven, and land with my leg twisted under me\u2026broken. I have no way to get help\u2026I\u2019m stuck, in pain\u2026and madder than a hornet\u2026why? Because of our little brother who was off somewhere wasting his time\u2026probably\u2026Oh\u2026what\u2019s the use!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026dadburnit, Adam\u2026why do you and Pa gotta always be so hard on the kid?\u201d grumbled Hoss in his little brother\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause\u2026the \u2018kid\u2019 as you refer to him, is always insisting that he isn\u2019t a \u2018kid\u2019 but a man\u2026well, if he\u2019s a man\u2026then he needs to act like it and stop goofing off, wasting time and getting others hurt because of his foolishness!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss puckered up his lips. He didn\u2019t like the insinuations that his older brother was making about the youngest of the three.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s only seventeen, Adam\u2026that\u2019s still a kid\u2026leastways to me it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe to you seventeen is still a kid, but when I was that age, I was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss held his hand up in the air, shaking his head from side to side, indicting that he didn\u2019t want to hear any more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve already heard your story, Adam\u2026how when you were that age, you were doin\u2019 a man\u2019s day of work, you shouldered your responsibilities, you were going to college, studying, trying to make something of yourself\u2026well\u2026look at you now\u2026laying there in the bed with a broke leg. You went away, you studied\u2026for what? You came back here, you mend the same fences as me and Joe, ya break the same horses as us, ya round up the same steers\u2026you muck the same filthy barn as we do\u2026so what makes you any better\u2019n us?\u201d growled Hoss with a deep frown.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam grew quite. He studied his brother\u2019s face; he saw the hurt, and the pain he felt for his family and knew that he had injured his middle brother\u2019s tender feelings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not any better than you\u2026and I didn\u2019t mean to imply that I was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Adam,\u201d Hoss said, pointing his finger at his brother. \u201cYa might have more education than me or Joe, but ya ain\u2019t one iota better\u2019n us. Little Joe might very well have a darn good excuse for what he done today, and we\u2019ll all know, once he\u2019s awake and can talk\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss shook his finger under Adam\u2019s nose; his anger was quickly mounting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd don\u2019t ya go blamin\u2019 Joe for that there broke leg\u2026it ain\u2019t his fault\u2026it\u2019s your own fault\u2026ya should have been more careful about what YA was doing stead of fumin\u2019 about what that boy in there might have been doin!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned to go, but stopped at the door, looking back at his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2019s been hurt, Adam\u2026and I think his hurt is much worse than that there broke leg. He\u2019s hurtin\u2019 inside\u2026Hop Sing saw it\u2026he knows\u2026and he ain\u2019t never been wrong about such things. Why, I just bet when Little Joe tells us what happened, we\u2019ll all be sorry for fussin\u2019 at\u2019em and blamin\u2019 him for all that\u2019s gone wrong this day! We\u2019ll all be ashamed of ourselves\u2026\u2019specially you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him as he went.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHOSS\u2026WAIT A MINUTE!\u201d Adam shouted, but the door remained closed, Hoss had refused to return. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, big guy,\u201d he muttered softly as he pressed his head into the pillow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Ben,\u201d the doctor whispered as he straightened up after examining his young patient.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul Martin began rolling down his shirtsleeves.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026what, Doc?\u201d Ben said as he sat down on the edge of the bed and studied the tired, worn expression on the face of his unconscious son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Paul began again. \u201cIt\u2019s no wonder the poor boy collapsed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked with concern up at his friend, confused.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so he collapsed\u2026I want to know why\u2026what\u2019s wrong with him, for God\u2019s sake!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The doctor seemed to be the one who was confused now. Ben stood to his feet, facing the physician. A hint of anger flashed in his dark eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I do not know\u2026I do not know a thing about anything that has happened today other than it has been one hell of a day\u2026everything has gone wrong\u2026my oldest son breaks his leg, my youngest boy collapses\u2026my middle son is racing from room to room like a fox caught in the henhouse with no way out, my cook has threatened to quit and my out of town guests have left in a huff\u2026hungry mind you because this\u2026this\u2026boy refused to follow orders\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh for heaven\u2019s sake, Benjamin\u2026you can\u2019t really blame Little Joe for everything\u2026my God, man\u2026the poor lad was forced to kill a man today\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s next words hung in his throat. He was stunned into complete silence, not sure if he had heard correctly. He cleared his throat, glanced first at the doctor and then his son and back again at the man standing next to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you just say?\u201d stammered Ben in a trembling voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t tell you?\u201d Paul Martin asked, noting the startled expression on the worried father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026he didn\u2019t tell me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben swallowed hard and sat back down on the bed. Suddenly it all came rushing at him, his anger, his sharp words, his unconcern for anything but the boy\u2019s tardiness\u2026the frightened, disheartened look that had been on his son\u2019s face, the tear filled eyes\u2026the way the slender shoulders had slumped, the unexplained bruises\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben looked up at the doctor, suddenly very much ashamed of himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I didn\u2019t give the boy much time to explain himself,\u201d he muttered, glancing again at Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe had opened his eyes and was watching the exchange between the physician and his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d breathed Ben in relief. He smiled, transforming his anxious expression into one of serene peacefulness. \u201cWelcome back, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instantly, the hazel eyes filled with tears. The chin began to quiver as Joe fought to contain himself. Ben heard the boy sniff and watched as Joe swiped his hand across his face to wipe the dampness from his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026for being late\u2026for making you mad\u2026I\u2019m sorry I wasn\u2019t there for Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s words came out in a rush, he sobbed softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean for everything to happen as it did\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He looked at his father with large tears rolling from his eyes and down his face, breaking his father\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026is he alright\u2026oh, Pa\u2026it was awful\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The events of the day had finally taken their toll on the young man. They rushed down, engulfing him with their highly emotional desecrating powers. Joe could no longer control the urge to cry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben, stricken with emotion, pulled his son into his arms and held him while Joe cried out his misery. He still had no clue as to what had happened to his son to put him in such a distraught condition. Tenderly, Ben ran his hand up and down the boy\u2019s back, cooing softly to him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShh\u2026it\u2019s alright now, son\u2026whatever happened is over\u2026everything is going to be fine\u2026I promise,\u201d he assured the young man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben waited until Joe had calmed down and then gently leaned him back against the stack of soft pillows. He was unaware that the doctor had left and his middle son had replaced the physician\u2019s presence with his own. Hoss stood at the foot of the bed, silent, filled with apprehension for his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you tell me about it, Joe?\u201d Ben questioned as he brushed back lose strands of wayward curls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wiped his eyes. He looked deeply into his father\u2019s dark eyes, not sure how to proceed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to tell you\u2026but\u2026you didn\u2019t give me\u2026a chance,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben hung his head in shame. His lips were drawn tightly. The truth often hurt he had taught his sons, now he was experiencing that hurt, for Joe had spoken the truth\u2026he hadn\u2019t given the boy much of a chance to say anything. He felt the overwhelming dishonor he had exhibited and he was forced to swallow his regret.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, son\u2026and I\u2019m sorry for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben glanced up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ashamed of myself. I was only thinking of myself\u2026my guests, the ruined supper\u2026Adam. I was angry\u2026very angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe made a sniffling sound as he watched the remorse wash over his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d he said softly. \u201cI could tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben was silent for a moment and then smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I didn\u2019t hide it very well, did I?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir\u2026but Pa, I understand why you were mad\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026I shouldn\u2019t have jumped to conclusions, I was wrong for not giving you time to explain\u2026I was wrong for not listening to you\u2026and I\u2019m sorry, very sorry. But, I\u2019m listening now\u2026why don\u2019t you tell me about today?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard. It wouldn\u2019t be easy, reliving the horror of the afternoon\u2026he glanced at Hoss who had moved to the opposite side of the bed. The gentle giant smiled at his brother, giving Joe enough courage to tell his story.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026I was up in the north pasture, mending fences and waiting for Adam to get back with more nails. It seemed like he was taking forever and to be honest, I was getting a bit upset with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was delayed, he had to ride into town for those nails, son. We were out of the ones you needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know\u2026I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to be sorry, son\u2026it wasn\u2019t your fault, nor was it his,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cPlease, continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, I was sitting there, waiting for Adam, when little Timmy Cameron rode up on his father\u2019s old mare. He was crying something fierce, his words were so garbled, it was hard to understand what he was trying to tell me\u2026but he kept muttering something about his father beating up his brother\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMatt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Matt\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt his throat begin to tighten as he recalled what he had seen once arriving at the Cameron home. This time, the haunted expression did not go unnoticed by his father. Ben laid his hand on Joe\u2019s arm and gently squeezed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened after Timmy showed up, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe was frightened half out of his mind, he kept screaming at me to help him\u2026so I went with him over to his place. We rode double on that old mare\u2026took forever it seemed, she\u2019s so old and slow. But when we got there, I could hear screaming\u2026horrible, ear-piercing screaming inside the house. I told Timmy to wait outside for me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe paused, took a deep breath and glanced at his father and brother. The doctor had helped Adam into the room and his oldest brother now sat in a chair with his leg, encased in a heavy plaster cast, propped on a stool.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t bother to knock, I just walked right in\u2026\u201d he swallowed again, shaking his head slowly from side to side. He lowered his head, squeezing shut his eyes in an attempt to wipe the memory from his mind. Ben heard the boy groan softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d his father murmured. \u201cThis can wait, son, until you\u2019re more rested, if you\u2019d rather.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Joe muttered, looking into the dark eyes and finding inner strength in the warmth he found reflecting back at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have to tell you\u2026I have to\u2026get it out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I rushed in\u2026not knowing what to expect\u2026and certainly not what I found.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you find, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBlood\u2026everywhere\u2026Mr. Cameron was\u2026like a mad man\u2026he had a club in his hands, beating Matt. Matt\u2019s head was split opened\u2026blood ran like a river down the front of his face. It covered his eyes\u2026he couldn\u2019t see. He was\u2026trying to protect himself\u2026begging\u2026yelling, pleading with his father to stop hitting him. But Mr. Cameron didn\u2019t even hear him\u2026he was so\u2026enraged,\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He paused again and took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Cameron was covered in blood. I thought she was hurt too\u2026but I later found out that it was Matt\u2019s blood. She was wild with fright, trying to pull her husband off Matt. He had fallen down and his father kept hitting him again and again. The shouts stopped\u2026that\u2019s when I pushed the woman aside and grabbed Mr. Cameron\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Everything stopped for a moment, like time had stood still. Mr. Cameron glared at me with fire in his eyes\u2026I glanced down at Matt and could tell\u2026he\u2026was\u2026dead\u2026Pa. His own father\u2026had\u2026murdered him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026\u201d Ben muttered softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He could see the tears slowly building in the hazel eyes. The chin began to quiver again as his son tried to finish the horror story.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe took a swing at me\u2026but I managed to duck. But the next one caught me in the side\u2026that\u2019s when the woman charged her husband, shoving me out of the way. Mr. Cameron back slapped his wife and shoved her. She went down on top of Matt\u2026that\u2019s when Mr. Cameron came at me again. I don\u2019t know how I did it, but I was able to get out of his way\u2026I kept begging him to put the club down, but he kept swinging it at me\u2026I couldn\u2019t reason with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I pulled my pistol and pointed it at him\u2026hoping he would listen\u2026but he was like a wild man, Pa\u2026he wasn\u2019t even aware of what he\u2019d done or who any of us were\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I told him to put down his weapon\u2026the club\u2026but he only laughed at me. Mrs. Cameron managed to get up and from somewhere she found a knife and then before any of us could react, she lunged at him. He grabbed her arm and wrenched the knife out of her hand, but he cut her arm\u2026she screamed something awful\u2026then to add to the chaos\u2026the little boy opened the door and ran inside, screaming like a Ban chi Indian\u2026<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mr. Cameron still had the knife in his hand and didn\u2019t seem to know who the boy was\u2026when he saw the kid\u2026he raised his arm, I knew he was fixing to throw the knife at the boy\u2026I yelled, \u2018NO\u2019, that\u2019s when he turned on me and just as he threw the knife, I fired at him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe paused, lowering his head. He wiped his sleeve across his eyes and slowly raised his head, searching for understanding in the eyes of his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026killed him\u2026Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben leaned forward, placed his hands gently on the trembling shoulders and pulled his son to him. For several long moments, he held the boy as such.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss swapped looks, each feeling the remorse and the pain that their younger sibling surely must have been experiencing. Adam glanced at his younger brother. Somehow, their eyes met\u2026and Adam lowered his head. He too, was ashamed of himself and could not look the boy in the eye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe leaned back\u2026relieved to have the burden and the guilt lifted and shared with his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou only did what you had to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, Pa\u2026but\u2026why would\u2026I mean\u2026how could a father be so angry at his son\u2026so much so, that he could lose control enough to\u2026kill his own son?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gasped softly. Thoughts of the afternoon suddenly became vivid in his mind as he recalled his own anger\u2026his own thoughts of what he\u2019d do to his own son for disobeying him\u2026for embarrassing him in front of friends\u2026for not being where he should have been\u2026for not being their for his brother when Adam had been injured\u2026for being late\u2026dear God, thought Ben, had he become so angry that he could have\u2026no\u2026no\u2026he\u2019d never allow his emotions to go so far beyond his personal control that he could do to one of his boys\u2026what Walter Cameron had done to his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tenderly, Ben ran his hand down the boy\u2019s dampened cheek.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, son\u2026I honestly don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was days later and Joe was resting on the settee when the knock on the door woke him. Ben jumped to his feet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it, you two sit still.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced over at Adam who has seated in the blue chair, his leg propped on the wide table in front of him. Adam grinned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLike I\u2019m going to rush to the door,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe giggled softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Cameron\u2026this is a surprise\u2026please, come in,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe glanced over the top of the settee. Seeing the woman and her young son, he sat up instantly and slowly rose to his feet in respect of the lady.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry to barge in on you like this,\u201d she apologized. \u201cBut, Timmy and I were leaving in the morning\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLeaving?\u201d Ben questioned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ve decided to go back east\u2026my folks are there\u2026and since\u2026well\u2026since it\u2019s just Timmy and I now\u2026I thought it best for the boy. You know\u2026get him away from all the talk\u2026the gossips.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026I agree\u2026it would probably be for the best,\u201d Ben concluded. \u201cPlease, won\u2019t you sit down?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes\u2026thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mrs. Cameron took a seat at one end of the settee. Joe sat down on the opposite side.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d Joe said in greeting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was confused, frightened some by the woman\u2019s presence. He tried not to stare at the bruises that marred her lovely face or the blackened eye where her husband had hit her\u2026or the bandaged arm that hung useless in the sling that draped around her neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to come over, Joe\u2026to speak with you\u2026to\u2026thank you for what you did\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank me?\u201d puzzled Joe. \u201cBut\u2026I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou only reacted, Little Joe\u2026you were trying to protect us\u2026me and Timmy\u2026you placed yourself in danger\u2026for us. I can\u2019t thank you enough for coming to our rescue\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2026killed your\u2026husband,\u201d Joe said softly. \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou had no choice\u2026he forced you to do it\u2026he\u2019d already killed my son, Matt, he wouldn\u2019t have hesitated to kill you\u2026or Timmy, or me\u2026he was crazy, Joe\u2026plumb crazy. It wasn\u2019t the first time he\u2019d hit us\u2026or beat one of our boys, especially Matt. I think Walt resented Matt\u2026him being only his stepson and not really his flesh and blood. I think my husband resented me too\u2026for being Matt\u2019s mother. No, Little Joe\u2026you didn\u2019t cause my husband\u2019s death\u2026he caused it himself. If you hadn\u2019t come along when you did\u2026we might very well have died that day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026why didn\u2019t you tell someone\u2026about him beating you, I mean?\u201d Joe asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes\u2026why didn\u2019t you go to the sheriff\u2026tell him what was happening?\u201d Ben added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t do any good, Mr. Cartwright. You, yourself know that it\u2019s not against the law for a man to hit his wife. They call it\u2026keeping her under control,\u201d Mrs. Cameron stated with a smirk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s a law that needs to be changed. It\u2019s wrong\u2026for any man to beat a woman, or a child\u2026look at the devastating affects it has on a family\u2026and not just the family,\u201d Ben said, pointing to his own young son, \u201cbut to outsiders as well. Someday\u2026with God\u2019s help, laws will be made to prevent such things from happening\u2026help has to come from somewhere\u2026but it takes people, like Little Joe here, who are willing to help, who aren\u2019t afraid to stand up for what\u2019s right and what\u2019s wrong!\u201d declared Ben in a loud voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMen must learn to control themselves first, before they can control their wives and children. Without inner control\u2026a man becomes\u2026a\u2026a\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMonster\u2026Mr. Cartwright. That\u2019s what Walter had become. He was so filled with self-loathing, disappointment of his own life, his own failures, that he took it out on the very ones he was suppose to love\u2026and who loved him. You see, my husband wasn\u2019t always like he was that day\u2026no\u2026once he was as kind and caring as\u2026you are, Mr. Cartwright\u2026but over the course of years and too much bad luck, he changed\u2026nothing mattered to him anymore\u2026he stopped caring and became a totally different man, a man I no longer knew\u2026or loved. He killed more than just my son\u2026he killed my love for him\u2026now I have to live with the hate I feel toward him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mrs. Cameron stood to her feet. Her expression was grim as she turned to go.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, again I thank you for helping us. I will always remember you with kindness\u2026and you, Mr. Cartwright\u2026for having the self control over your own emotions to raise your boys to be good, decent men.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood silently at the door. He glanced around the room at his \u2018boys\u2019, all young men now. In his heart, he thanked God for giving him power over himself, wisdom to know how to control his own troubling thoughts and feelings when they suddenly appeared. He thanked God that he had not been reduced to the same level as Walter Cameron that day\u2026that day when he had been so angry as to consider wringing the neck of his youngest son\u2026and for what? His shame deepened and he vowed never to allow his temper to interfere with the welfare of one of his sons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mrs. Cameron, for stopping by. I hope you and Timmy have a safe journey.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright, Joseph\u2026good day, Adam, I hope you get better real soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you ma\u2019am\u2026I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben walked out into the yard with the woman and her son. Joe turned from the door and slowly made his way back to the settee. Adam watched his brother as Joe sat down.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSomething bothering you?\u201d he asked Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNaw\u2026I just feel sorry for them, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, so do I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and glanced over at his brother, but said nothing. Adam read the troubled thoughts that showed in his brother\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo Joe\u2026Pa could never get that mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d you know what I was thinking?\u201d he asked with a slight grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, next to Pa, I know you better than anyone else\u2026better than you know yourself\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, really?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes really! I know you\u2019re feeling a bit guilty about what happened too\u2026I know you\u2019re wondering if you could have handled things differently\u2026and\u2026I know you did the only thing you could have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t have to go\u2026with Timmy, I mean\u2026I didn\u2019t have to stick my nose into someone else\u2019s business\u2026or\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cStop it Joseph,\u201d Ben said as he closed the door. \u201cStop second guessing yourself. It was bound to happen sometime\u2026you just happened to be the one who was forced into killing the man. But someday\u2026things will be different\u2026you saw first hand what physical abuse can do to a family. Laws can be changed\u2026people can be taught to react differently to certain situations\u2026Joe\u2026you can be a part of that change.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe\u2026how?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBy letting others\u2026men\u2026know that it\u2019s not right to beat their wives, or mothers or sisters\u2026that it\u2019s wrong to beat child\u2026to kill a child in a moment of rage. It\u2019s wrong son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, Pa\u2026and\u2026I\u2019m\u2026thankful that you aren\u2019t like Mr. Cameron\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNever, son\u2026never\u2026\u201d muttered Ben. \u201cI learned a long time ago what it takes to control my anger\u2026but I must say\u2026I almost forgot that the other day\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou were pretty mad at me, weren\u2019t you?\u201d grinned Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo was I, kid,\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben placed his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and smiled. All the love he\u2019d ever had for this young man, glistened in his eyes, resounded in his tone when he spoke, filtered through from his heart to his fingers that lingered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I was mad\u2026but never so mad that I could have done something so horrible. You\u2026and your brothers, are my whole life, Joseph\u2026without you\u2026I would be nothing. I am, who I am, because of all three of you\u2026you boys have made me, the father that I am\u2026because you are a part of me\u2026and I am a part of each one of you. I not only love you, but I respect you\u2026I cherish each of you, you are all a gift from God, therefore I could never physically or intentionally hurt you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walter Cameron let the woes of his life take over control of his inner feelings\u2026he lost respect for himself, he lost sight of the gifts that God had given to him. When he reached the point that he believed his own life was not worth living, he lost respect for everything else, his sons included\u2026he destroyed the most precious gifts of all\u2026his family. I will not allow that to happen to me\u2026God willing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben smiled at each of his sons, including Hoss who had just returned from town.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, I think Hop Sing has supper on the table. I don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m hungry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d laughed Joe as he helped Adam to the table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, kid,\u201d the older brother grinned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime, big brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat down, waiting for each of his boys to take their proper place. When they were settled he began serving the meal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hope we have a better day, tomorrow,\u201d muttered Little Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope all our tomorrows are better\u2026\u201d smiled Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey will be\u2026couldn\u2019t get much worse\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph! Don\u2019t tempt fate!\u201d snapped Ben, laughing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, with your luck, we\u2019re all liable to end up with broken legs!\u201d roared Hoss with a wide a grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey\u2026that wasn\u2019t my fault\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt never is\u2026\u201d Adam said with a fake smirk. \u201cIt never is\u2026that\u2019s why they call you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know, I know\u2026the \u2018trouble magnet<\/em>!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, kid\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

February 2005<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you suffer from physical or emotional abuse\u2026or know someone who does\u2026there is help for you. Please take the first step in ending the violence, call the hotline and report it, you might save your own life, or that of a loved one!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the number, it\u2019s toll free: domestic violence hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And remember, there\u2019s a better day, tomorrow!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thanks to my good friend, Peggy Fox, for the story idea and for supplying the number!<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Caught in the middle of a family argument turned ugly and having to face his own\u00a0irate father, Joe bears the blunt of both family’s wrath.\u00a0 He isn’t the only one who learns something from the experience.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 PG Deals with domestic violence (6,250 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":376,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":4596,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/coming-soon-4.jpg?fit=320%2C240&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12135,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12135","url_meta":{"origin":12079,"position":0},"title":"Prelude to Rebirth (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this story should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/4Cs.jpg?fit=400%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":12136,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12136","url_meta":{"origin":12079,"position":1},"title":"The Rebirth of Joe Cartwright (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"August 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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