Summary:<\/b> \u00a0When a young friend and Joe play hooky from school, Joe won’t tell his father the real reasons, until it’s too late.\u00a0 Ben then has to find the words to comfort his son and explain why God allows such things as an untimely death, to happen.<\/p>\n
Rated G \u00a0WC 15, 300<\/p>\n
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When Death Comes Caling<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThank you Miss Jones,\u201d<\/strong> Ben uttered, his head dropped low in an effort to keep the teacher from seeing his rising anger.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have a word or two with the boy, just as soon as he comes home, you can be assured of that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you Mr. Cartwright, and\u2026I\u2019m sorry, really I am, but I thought that Joseph was sick, and that was the reason that he has been out of school for the last couple of days,\u201d Miss Jones said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glanced up at the teacher and shook his head, \u201cSometimes I worry about that boy, just when I think he\u2019s just about grown up, he goes and does something so childish.\u00a0 Hooky, I would have thought he had out grown that by now, after all, this is his last year in school, what with being fifteen and all.\u00a0 Miss Jones?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben paused and pushed his hat back on his head, \u201cYou\u2019re sure that the Morgan boy was playing hooky with Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abigail Jones stepped down one step, making herself to be on the same level with the senior Cartwright.\u00a0 Her eyes were wide as she met his dark anger filled chocolate ones.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Ever since Trae Morgan came to school here four months ago, he and young Joseph have been as thick as thieves, if you will pardon the expression.\u00a0 When you see one, the other is usually close by, and if there\u2019s trouble, well\u2026how can I say this without offending you\u2026hmm\u2026Joseph is usually right in the thick of things.\u00a0 And Trae, though he never gets into the actual fighting, he isn\u2019t too far from Joseph\u2019s side urging him on, mind you,\u201d Miss Jones stated in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was well aware of the fact that the teacher was very confident in her assumption of his youngest and most trying son and he had no cause to doubt her words.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Jones,\u201d Ben said, almost groaning as he turned to his horse and started to mount up, \u201cagain, I\u2019m sorry for my son\u2019s actions, for his absence from school and for whatever lies he might have made up to cause you to think that he was sick.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miss Jones\u2019 blond head was bobbing up and down.\u00a0 \u201cThank you sir, but just one piece of advice\u2026if you don\u2019t mind?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat astride his big buckskin horse, watching Miss Jones who watched him with eyes that spoke of her desire to speak her mind.\u00a0 \u201cYes?\u201d Ben said in a low voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPersonally, I think a good thrashing would be in Joseph\u2019s best interest, and\u2026I might add\u2026restricting him from keeping company with the likes of that Morgan boy.\u00a0 Now please, don\u2019t get me wrong\u2026it\u2019s just that I happen to think that perhaps Joseph should pick and choose his friends a mite more carefully.\u00a0 The Morgans are fairly new here and they tend to keep to themselves, so there is no way of knowing just what sort of people they really are.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben tipped his hat, \u201cyes, I will agree with you on that point, but as far as a thrashing, he is fifteen and I think a little too old for me to be putting across my knee.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miss Jones\u2019 mouth dropped opened but before she could utter another word, Ben quickly hurried on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not saying that he doesn\u2019t deserve one, but I assure you, I have other methods of dealing with his misconduct.\u00a0 Good day, ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned Buck toward home and gently kicked at the horse\u2019s sides.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All the way home Ben stewed about his youngest son\u2019s deceptiveness, and with each passing mile, his anger grew. \u00a0Nothing that his son would have to say, would defer the angered father from dishing out much deserved punishment to his son.\u00a0 Ben brushed his hand across his face and allowed the air to expel from his lungs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m getting too old for this nonsense,\u2019 he muttered softly to his mount.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time that Ben reached home, he was past being angry.\u00a0 He reined in his horse and tossed the reins lightly around the hitching post and stomped into the house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH!\u201d he roared loudly, bringing Hop Sing scurrying from the kitchen, his hands coated in white flour from where he had been busy making biscuits for supper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat all the shoutin\u2019 about?\u00a0 Little boy not in house!\u201d ranted Hop Sing, slinging his arms about in the air and sending the white flakes of powdery dust about in a cloud.\u00a0 He turned, muttering in his native tongue, words that Ben was sure he did not want to know the meanings to.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSomething wrong, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glanced up toward the top of the stairs.\u00a0 Adam stood, clad only in his trousers and boots, a slight configuration of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.\u00a0 He had recognized the tone of voice his father had used to summons the youngest member of the family and knew without asking, that Joe had somehow managed to get himself into some sort of trouble, again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHave you seen that youngest brother of yours?\u201d Ben demanded as he made his way to his desk and pulled out the chair to sit down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam descended to the landing and stopped.\u00a0 \u201cNo sir,\u201d he said, watching his father pour himself a brandy.\u00a0 \u201cSort of early in the afternoon to be drinking, isn\u2019t it?\u201d he dared to question Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s ebony eyes sought his oldest son\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cNo need to be sarcastic, young man. I think I\u2019m plenty old enough to decide when I need a drink and when I don\u2019t, and for your information, right now\u2026I happen to need a drink.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned the miniature goblet up and downed the brandy in one gulp.\u00a0 He glanced back up at Adam and saw the smile that had deepened the dimple on the left side of his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s so amusing?\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing, I\u2019m sorry Pa.\u00a0 I can see that you\u2019re upset, need I ask at whom?\u201d Adam questioned as he rested both of his hands on the railing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben couldn\u2019t help but crack a smile, though he was still plenty angry with his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cI think you figured that out when I came through the door.\u00a0 Have you by chance happened to have seen the little scalawag?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I suppose he\u2019s not home from school yet.\u00a0 What\u2019s he done this time, got kept late again?\u201d laughed Adam lightly, knowing his little brother\u2019s tendency for finding or making trouble for himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSchool,\u201d muttered Ben to himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that?\u201d Adam snickered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben glared up at his son and then repeated himself in a deep voice, \u201cSchool!\u00a0 The boy has been playing hooky from SCHOOL!\u201d shouted Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t bother to make a verbal reply to his father\u2019s outburst.\u00a0 His only reaction was to raise his thick brows in response and turned slowly making his way back to his room.\u00a0 Once the door was shut, Adam chuckled to himself, the shouting had only begun, he thought silently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre ya sure Trae?\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s voice dripped with emotion and he fought against the tears that threatened to flood his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPositive Little Joe, I overheard my folks talking about it, last night,\u201d Trae explained to his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He had turned his head away the minute that he had seen the tears forming in Joe\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 He had thought it would be a simple thing to do, to tell his friend of his predicament.\u00a0 Tears were the last things he had expected, especially from Joe Cartwright.\u00a0 He thought that he had cried enough of his own.\u00a0 When his parents had broken the news to him the night before, he had felt sure that he hadn\u2019t any tears left to cry; then when he had seen Joe\u2019s eyes begin to water, Trae had had to turn his head to hide his own unexpected ones.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen?\u201d Joe asked, unable to make his voice louder than a mere whisper.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae swiped his hand across the front of his face and turned to face Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I think soon, maybe a month, two if I\u2019m lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe dropped his head, sniffing his nose to prevent the seepage from rolling onto his upper lip.\u00a0 He eyed his friend, unashamed that Trae could see the pool of tears in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAre ya scared?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae took a deep breath and then sighed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be lyin\u2019 if\u2019n I said I wasn\u2019t, but I try not to think about it.\u00a0 I just want to forget and then when it happens, it\u2019ll just happen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae bent down and picked up a rock and tossed it at an imaginary target and then to Joe, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cSay Cartwright, when ya gonna teach me to ride that pinto of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was surprised to see the smile that had suddenly appeared on his friend\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAre you serious?\u201d asked Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure I am, I ain\u2019t got nothin\u2019 to lose, do I?\u201d he grinned in reply.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe seemed lost in thought.\u00a0 Trae moved to pet the velvety end of Cochise\u2019s soft nose.\u00a0 Joe watched fascinated by his friend\u2019s sudden change in attitude and the inner strength that he could sense in the younger boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy not right now?\u201d tempted Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow?\u00a0 But what about school, we\u2019re already late,\u201d said Trae, surprised that Joe had suggested the present for a riding lesson.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u00a0 We ain\u2019t got anything to lose,\u201d Joe giggled, repeating his friend\u2019s phrase.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we just skip class today and go up to the lake?\u00a0 I know a secret place where we can wade in the water and I\u2019ll teach ya how to skip stones.\u00a0 After that, we can eat our lunch and maybe do a little fishin\u2019.\u00a0 By that time, school should be out and then we can just go home.\u00a0 No one will ever know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut what if the teacher should ask us tomorrow why we were out?\u00a0 Won\u2019t she be mad when she finds out we played hooky?\u201d Trae asked in a skeptical voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe started to giggle.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t think we\u2019re goin\u2019 to tell her we played hooky, do you? \u00a0Look Trae, today\u2019s Thursday, so we\u2019ll just stay out Friday as well.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry pal, I assure you, no one will know.\u00a0 Come Monday, we\u2019ll just let her think we\u2019ve both been sick\u2026\u201d Joe stopped suddenly, the smile gone as he eyed his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrae\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay Joe, I think we can pull it off.\u00a0 I\u2019m game if you are\u2026I really want to learn to ride and you can show me how to skip those stones you were telling me about.\u201d\u00a0 Trae slapped his friend\u2019s back and moved as if too mount Cochise.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey, wait, that\u2019s not the right side,\u201d yelled Joe, stopping Trae in his tracks.\u00a0 Joe started laughing and took the reins from his friend\u2019s hands and mounted Cochise on the correct side.\u00a0 He offered the boy his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHold my hand and pull yourself up and then toss your leg over his back.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae did as instructed and within minutes both boys were riding off through the woods toward the lake, the schoolteacher already forgotten as they talked in anticipation of their outing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shuffled through his papers for the fourth time and finally placed them in a pile in front of him. \u2018Two days,\u2019 he thought to himself.\u00a0 \u2018Two days of hooky,\u2019 he muttered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just as he scooted back his chair, the front door opened and immediately slammed shut.\u00a0 Ben gritted his teeth as Joe strolled past, unaware of his father sitting at the desk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped in his tracks, turned to face his father and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cOh, hi ya Pa.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see ya sitting there.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome over here, please,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was stern and Joe\u2019s brows raised in surprise at his father\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe ambled over suddenly suspicious of the way that Ben was eyeing him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHave a seat,\u201d Ben ordered, pointing at the chair on the opposite side of the wide oak desk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Without questioning his father\u2019s motives, Joe sat quietly down, dropping his head and beginning to fidget with a button on his shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026how was school today?\u201d Ben surprised Joe by asking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes quickly swept his father\u2019s face searching for something that would clue him in as to why Ben was acting so strangely.\u00a0 Joe gulped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSchool?\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, school?\u201d Ben said as he fought to control his quickly rising ire.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gulped again and glanced at his father.\u00a0 Surely his father had not found out already about his playing hooky from school.\u00a0 There was no way, they had been so careful not to be seen.\u00a0 Joe had taken Trae for a long ride, up into the foothills of the high country, where the air was cool and crisp.\u00a0 Joe had shown the other boy the cave where the mama bear lived with her two cubs.\u00a0 They had sat for an hour or more and watched the cubs playing.\u00a0 Trae had been born and had lived all of his life in a big city back east before coming to Nevada with his parents, so the experience was something new to him and the boy had seemed to enjoy the time spent with his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe had laughed at his friend\u2019s excitement; he had agreed when Trae had been determined to follow the cubs and when mama bear had sensed their presence, the pair of young boys had quickly mounted Cochise and rode off to safety, laughing together.\u00a0 They had eaten their lunches under a tall Ponderosa pine that had provided them with shade and had even taken a little nap before starting back.\u00a0 Joe had kept a sharp eye on his friend always cautious least the other boy might grow tired and needed to rest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Friday, the two boys had met at a place where Joe had secretly told Trae about and had spent the day fishing and wading in the water.\u00a0 When the sun had risen to its highest point, they had stripped down to their underwear and had swum around in the warm waters.\u00a0 Trae had never learned to swim, but by the end of the day, Little Joe had taught him enough so that he could at least dog paddle from one side of the bank to the other.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe had even taught his friend the fine art of skipping stones across the glass like water.\u00a0 Joe had explained in detail how Adam had taught him to skip the stones when he had been but five.\u00a0 He explained that during that time, his mother had died and his father had all but stopped living, so great had his grief been that Adam had stepped in and had taken charge of both Hoss and himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d she die?\u201d Trae asked shyly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShe fell from a horse,\u201d Joe explained, glancing sideways at his friend, all the while tossing the smooth stones out across the equally smooth water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Trae whispered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped and turned to his friend.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, but that was a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDo you still think about her?\u00a0 I mean, once someone dies, they\u2019re gone forever.\u00a0 Do you think you\u2019ll ever forget her?\u201d Trae tried his luck as he tossed a rock out into the water and watched the ripples as the stone sunk to the bottom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI used to think about her all the time, back when it first happened.\u00a0 I missed her a lot, cause I didn\u2019t understand about death, I just thought she went away cause she didn\u2019t love us anymore,\u201d admitted Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI even had nightmares.\u00a0 I still do sometimes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNightmares?\u00a0 I have those sometimes too.\u00a0 I wake up screaming, sometimes I cry,\u201d stated Trae as he selected another rock.\u00a0 This time when he flung it, it skipped across the top of the water.\u00a0 \u201cHey, Joe, look I did it!\u201d he shouted excitedly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey you did, didn\u2019t ya?\u201d laughed Joe and flung the rock he held in his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa reckon she went to heaven?\u00a0 Your ma, I mean?\u201d asked Trae.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped and glanced at his friend.\u00a0 \u201cWell, my pa says she did, and Adam, my brother says that if we\u2019re good and live like God wants us too, when we die, we all go to heaven, why?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was just curious.\u00a0 Ya reckon God will hold it against me when I die, for playing hooky from school?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe straightened himself up and thought before answering the question.\u00a0 \u201cI hope not\u2026I mean, I\u2019d hate to think that with all the bad people running around in this world, I\u2019d end up going to hell just cause I skipped a couple of days of school,\u201d Joe laughed softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae giggled, \u201cYeah, me too.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on, we\u2019d best be getting back,\u201d Joe said as he dusted off his hands and began to gather his things.\u00a0 \u201cWe got to time it just right, so that we can get home about the same time we normally would have if we\u2019d been in school.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae followed Joe around and gathered his things as well, stuffing the sack that had held his lunch, down into the saddlebag with Joe\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe,\u201d Trae said, turning to face his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah Trae,\u201d Joe said as he skipped one last rock across the water.\u00a0 \u201cHey look, that one bounced five times,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned at the strange sound that his friend was making.\u00a0 \u201cTrae, are you okay?\u201d Joe asked as he turned from the sight of his friend retching.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae\u2019s stomach heaved twice more before it was finished emptying onto the ground.\u00a0 He wiped his shirtsleeve across his mouth and with tears still in his eyes, smiled slightly at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you okay?\u201d Joe asked a second time, more concerned, that maybe his friend had over done himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am now.\u00a0 Hey, don\u2019t look so scared, I said I was fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut why\u2026I mean, what made you sick?\u201d Joe wondered aloud.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t know, it just happens sometimes, don\u2019t fret about it.\u00a0 Come on, we better get goin\u2019,\u201d Trae said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe watched as the boy finished stuffing his belongings into the saddlebag and when he\u2019d finished, Joe mounted up, offering the boy a hand up.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, thanks\u2026I mean, I\u2019ll never forget all we\u2019ve done the last couple of days.\u00a0 It\u2019s been great,\u201d Trae said when they were on their way.\u00a0 \u201cI just hope we don\u2019t get found out,\u201d he snickered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt won\u2019t be the first time, I\u2019ve done it before, though it has been a long time ago.\u00a0 I had fun too Trae, whatever happens if my pa finds out, will be worth it,\u201d Joe called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, it meant a lot to me, Little Joe.\u00a0 You\u2019ll never know how much.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never had a chance to do the things that I\u2019ve done yesterday and today.\u00a0 Living in the city like I\u2019ve always had to do, didn\u2019t give my father and me time to get out in the woods to hunt or fish.\u00a0 I can\u2019t thank you enough for spending time with me like ya did,\u201d Trae whispered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt meant a lot to me, too,\u201d Joe replied, glancing over his shoulder at the boy behind him.\u00a0 His gaze was met with a happy smile and Joe smiled in return.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH, I asked you a question, I\u2019m waiting for an answer,\u201d Ben said, his voice growing deeper, which only meant that his anger was rising.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHmm\u2026I\u2019m sorry Pa, what did you ask me\u2026I was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know what you were doing, you were trying to avoid the question,\u201d Ben shouted as he stood to his feet and moved to stand in front of Joe who was trying to avoid his father\u2019s penetrating eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHmm\u2026school\u2026\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cLook at me when I talk to you,\u201d ordered Ben, his hands placed firmly on his hips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe glanced up, seeing the deep scowl embedded on his father\u2019s brow and instantly knew that somehow, his father had found out that he had played hooky from school.\u00a0 But did he know about both days?\u00a0 Joe swallowed and dropped his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, Pa\u2026about school\u2026you see\u2026I, hmm\u2026\u201d Joe glanced up, Ben was not making this easy for him at all, thought Joe to himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m waiting!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t go to school today,\u201d Joe blurted out in a rush.\u00a0 \u201cBut I can explain, Pa\u2026honest\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben moved around Joe\u2019s chair and was standing behind his son.\u00a0 When Joe glanced up, his father was gone and he twisted his head around to find his father standing behind him.\u00a0 Joe stood to his feet and faced his father.\u00a0 The look that Ben had on his face left no doubt to his son, that he was mad.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I don\u2019t want to hear any of your feeble excuses, because there are no excuses for what you have done.\u00a0 You have skipped school\u2026not just one day\u2026but two days.\u00a0 You have led me to believe you have been in class, when all along you have been\u2026just where have you been?\u201d ranted Ben, his voice booming.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTo the lake,\u201d confessed Joe.\u00a0 He omitted the fact that he and Trae had ridden up into the foothills, and the meeting with the bear cubs.\u00a0 Ben would tan his backside for sure if he knew that his son had practically been within arms reach of the young bears and had even been chased off by an enraged mama bear out to protect her young.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTO THE LAKE!\u201d stormed Ben moving to the other side of his desk.\u00a0 \u201cAnd let me guess, you went for a little swim as well?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe dropped his head.\u00a0 \u201cYessir,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cBut the water wasn\u2019t cold\u2026honest Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Unfortunately, Joe\u2019s nose picked that instance to clear itself as Joe sneezed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNot cold, heh?\u00a0 Well, that\u2019s your opinion,\u201d growled the angry father as he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to his son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe accepted the cloth and wiped his nose.\u00a0 \u201cThanks,\u201d he said in a tiny voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSit down,\u201d Ben pointed to the chair where Joe had sat just moments before.\u00a0 Joe quickly did as suggested and watched as Ben moved around the desk again and sat on the corner, facing him, staring down at him.\u00a0Suddenly Joe shivered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI had to make an unexpected trip into town this afternoon.\u00a0 I had to have some papers signed at the bank.\u00a0 By the time that I finished, it was nearly three o\u2019clock so I figured I\u2019d ride over to the school and meet my son.\u00a0 Do you know how shocked I was when I sat there and watched all the other children leave for the day and there was no sign of MY son?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shook his head from side to side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOf course you wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 I thought maybe Joseph was being kept late, again, but just as I was getting down from my horse, out comes Miss Jones, and you want to know what she was doing?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShe was locking up.\u00a0 I knew right then that you weren\u2019t staying late, so naturally I asked her where you were.\u00a0 Needless to say, I was speechless when she told me that she thought you must be sick because you haven\u2019t been to school\u2026FOR TWO DAYS!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026please\u2026I can explain\u2026\u201d begged Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben had started to pace and had his back turned to Joe.\u00a0 Suddenly, hearing his son\u2019s words, he spun around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSave it Joseph\u2026just don\u2019t say anything\u2026not one word.\u00a0 I will do the talking, you will do the listening.\u201d\u00a0 Ben had his hands on his hips, his head slightly bent forward as he eyed his son.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sneezed again and then groaned slightly in aggravation at himself as he wiped his nose.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was informed that you have missed two days of school this week.\u00a0 Joseph, I am very angry with you\u2026you have begged me for months now to let you quit school and I had almost decided to let you\u2026you seemed to have grown up so much over that last few months but now I\u2019m not so sure!\u00a0 Hooky\u2026Joseph\u2026hooky is a child\u2019s game, not a young adult\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stomped off and then returned.\u00a0 \u201cI may just make you go another year\u2026until I am sure you are fully grown!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPA!\u201d Joe shouted as he jumped to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not fair\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNOT FAIR?\u201d yelled Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI\u201dLL TELL YOU WHAT\u2019S NOT FAIR!\u00a0 HOOKY, DECEPTION, BLANTANT DISREGARD FOR AUTHORITY!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was fighting back his tears.\u00a0 He could explain why he skipped school, if his father would only give him a chance.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t do it on purpose,\u201d he declared in a weak voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben spun around, his eyes a deep ebony as he glared at his son.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph,\u201d he said in a voice so low that Joe had to raise his head and meet his father\u2019s stance to be sure that Ben had truly spoken.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPurpose?\u00a0 You didn\u2019t do it on purpose?\u00a0 Tell me something young man, did you plan on playing hooky\u2026you and that Morgan boy?\u201d quizzed Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I\u2026I mean\u2026well\u2026I suppose\u2026but Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYOU SUPPOSE?\u00a0 Then how in blazes can you say it wasn\u2019t on purpose?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes filled with tears as he stood in front of his father with his head lowered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I\u2019ve a good mind to give you a good thrashing, just as Miss Jones suggested.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head twisted upward, his eyes wide as he gazed at his father in shock.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut, as I explained it to the teacher, I feel you are too old for that, so\u2026\u201d Ben watched his son\u2019s face and noted the instant relief that crossed over the boy.\u00a0 \u201cYou are restricted, for the next month to\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA MONTH?\u201d shouted Joe, jumping to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026please, not a whole month!\u201d pleaded Joe, his thoughts turning to Trae and how much time his father\u2019s punishment would take away from the time he needed to be with his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I said, a full month.\u00a0 You are not to leave this yard.\u00a0 You will do your chores everyday after school and when they are finished, you will remain inside and\u2026you will no longer be allowed to keep company with that Morgan boy, do I make myself clear?\u00a0 Stay away from him!\u201d ordered Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was stunned.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026\u201d he stammered softly.\u00a0 \u201cWhy can\u2019t I see Trae?\u00a0 He didn\u2019t do anything\u2026he\u2019s my friend.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s tears had slowly filled his eyes and were on the brink of slipping over the top of the rims.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know he was with you Joseph\u2026I know that the two of you planned this whole little scheme together.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure his father isn\u2019t any more pleased about his skipping school than I am.\u00a0 You are to stay away from him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut he didn\u2019t do anything\u2026honest\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH!\u00a0 DO NOT ARGUE WITH ME!\u00a0 I HAVE MADE MYSELF CLEAR ON THIS\u2026YOU ARE NOT TO BE HANGING AROUND THAT BOY AGAIN!\u201d shouted Ben, glaring at Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t his idea\u2026It was mine, Pa\u2026mine\u2026he didn\u2019t do nothing!\u201d Joe yelled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t raise your voice to me young man.\u00a0 I don\u2019t care who\u2019s idea it was, if he was so eager to follow along on such a fool-hearted suggestion, then he\u2019s just as much to blame as you are.\u00a0 Heaven only knows what he might think up for the two of you to get mixed up into.\u00a0 Besides, I don\u2019t know his family; they could be hooligans for all I know.\u00a0 His father might even be wanted by the law, that boy might be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSTOP IT, PA!\u201d Joe shouted, the tears finally slipping free and rolling down his face.\u00a0 \u201cTrae\u2019s not like that at all, and you ain\u2019t got right to call him names!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben, stunned, glared back at Joe, seeing for the first time the tears that coursed down his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 Taken back by his son\u2019s reaction, his voice softened.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I wasn\u2019t calling the boy names.\u00a0 I just meant to imply that perhaps he isn\u2019t someone with whom you should keep company with\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was still obviously upset.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u00a0 Just because he\u2019s new in town, or because he\u2019s poor and not rich like you?\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned his back to his father and stomped toward the stairs, stopping and twirling around to face his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou said more than once that we should never judge a man by the clothes on his back, but by what\u2019s in a man\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Now, just because my friend plays hooky with me and his folks are dirt poor and have nothing, you think he isn\u2019t good enough to be my friend.\u00a0 Well, that makes you very narrow-minded Pa, plain and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned and ran up the stairs, stopping on the landing and turning back around to stare down at his father who had followed him as far as the bottom of the steps.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe dabbed at his falling tears and then cleared his throat that had become thick with emotion.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2026don\u2019t understand\u2026you won\u2019t even give me a chance to explain\u2026I don\u2019t have a month\u2026and neither does Trae!\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned and fled to his room, the slamming of the door ringing loud in the silent house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the next couple of days, Joe sulked about the house, doing his chores, keeping to himself within the walls of his room and avoiding any contact with his father.\u00a0 Ben had chosen to give his son the time and space he needed to gather his anger and hurt feelings together before approaching the boy to talk to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s sneezing had continued and he had even begun to cough occasionally, clearing his throat several times in an effort to keep the cough from being noticed by members of his family.\u00a0 His body ached, though he hid that fact as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By Monday morning, Joe\u2019s attitude, unlike his stuffy nose and hacking cough, had seemed to improve, so when Joe joined his family at the breakfast table, it was with a smile, however forced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMornin\u2019 Pa,\u201d greeted Joe.\u00a0 \u201cMornin\u2019 Hoss, Adam,\u201d he smiled as he reached for the stack of pancakes and began serving himself.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, good morning,\u201d Ben returned the greeting with a smile at his youngest and a swift glance around the table at Hoss and Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe hurried to finish his breakfast and then asked to be excused.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I have a couple of things to do in the barn before I leave for school, may I be excused?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded his head as he wiped his mouth.\u00a0 Quickly, Joe rose and started for the door without a backward glance at his family.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d called Ben, pushing back his chair and standing, \u201cwhile you\u2019re in the barn, could you please saddle my horse, I\u2019m going to ride into town with you,\u201d Ben announced.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped suddenly in his tracks and turned to face his father.\u00a0 \u201cRide into town with me\u2026why?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyebrows raised slightly and when Adam glanced over in Hoss\u2019 direction, Ben did not fail to see the movement.\u00a0 He eyed both of his older sons with a look of hesitancy as he moved around the table to speak with Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause I said I was, there are a couple of things I need to check on in town, so I thought I would accompany you,\u201d Ben informed the boy, who by now was growing somewhat impatient.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe scrunched up his face, forming a scowl to distort his handsome features.\u00a0 \u201cIs that the real reason, Pa?\u00a0 Or are you tagging along to be sure I get to school?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice had risen slightly and the touch of sarcasm in his voice did not go undetected by his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat will be enough of that kind of talk, young man,\u201d snapped Ben as he reached for his hat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe dropped his head, instantly regretting having been so short with his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that I don\u2019t like to be treated like a little boy.\u00a0 I\u2019m plenty able to get to school by myself,\u201d he muttered, glancing up at Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben pinched his lips tightly together.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure you are, if I felt sure that was what you intended to do.\u00a0 As for being treated like a little boy, when you stop acting like one, and begin acting like the young man you are supposed to be, I will treat you as such.\u00a0 Until then, I will treat you accordingly.\u00a0 Now, please let\u2019s go, you surely do not need to add tardiness to your list of offenses.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben strapped on his holster as Joe turned on his heels and marched out the door to the barn.\u00a0 Ben briefly closed his eyes and shook his head.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTake it easy, Pa,\u201d laughed Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI think you are still one step ahead of him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben grinned, \u201cI need to be about a mile ahead of that boy, not just one step,\u201d laughed Ben as he closed the door behind him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ride into town was quiet.\u00a0 Joe would cast his eyes over at his father occasionally but Ben too, was silent.\u00a0 Each had certain thoughts going through their heads as they rode along.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t wait to get to school; he wanted to talk to Trae to find out whether or not his father had found out about them skipping school and if so, what had Mr. Morgan done about it?\u00a0 Somehow, Joe thought that Trae\u2019s father would be more understanding, considering.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll see you this afternoon Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s attention was snapped back to the present by the sound of his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 He had been so lost in his thoughts that he had not even been aware when they had reached the school and stopped.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes found his father\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cSee ya,\u201d he said as he slid from the saddle and led his pinto toward the stable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll meet you here after school,\u201d Ben called.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe paused, looking up at Ben.\u00a0 Ben noted the unhappy expression on his son\u2019s face and sighed softly, he hated treating the boy as if he were a child in need of his father\u2019s guidance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shook his head gently.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t have to\u2026I mean\u2026if you\u2019ve got work to do.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come straight home, I promise,\u201d Joe told Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben hesitated momentarily and then smiled, breaking the tension that had seemed to be hanging over them.\u00a0 \u201cAll right Joe, I do have some paper work at home that needs my attention.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see you at home then, after school.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s expression changed to one of relief as he returned his father\u2019s smile.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t be late, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded his head and turning, made his way down the street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Little Joe,\u201d a voice from behind him called.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe turned and saw Trae step from behind the side of the building.\u00a0 \u201cTrae, I was wondering where you were.\u00a0 How ya feeling?\u201d asked Joe as he fell into step beside Trae.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay.\u00a0 Was that your Pa with ya?\u201d he asked, glancing back over his shoulder as he watched Ben ride down the street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, that\u2019s him,\u201d Joe said, following Trae\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow come he rode in with you?\u201d Trae continued.\u00a0 \u201cHe looked mad.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw\u2026he used the excuse that he had some business in town this morning, but what he was really doing was making sure I got to school.\u00a0 He found out about us playing hooky and I got in trouble,\u201d explained Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, my pa found out, too,\u201d added Trae.\u00a0 \u201cWhat did your father do, did ya get a thrashing?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shook his head, \u201cNo, worse, he grounded me for a month.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t allowed to go any place except for the house and barn.\u00a0 I can\u2019t even go fishing on Saturdays anymore.\u00a0 What about you?\u00a0 What\u2019d your pa do to you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae couldn\u2019t keep the smile from his face.\u00a0 \u201cHe didn\u2019t do nothing.\u00a0 Ma was madder than a wet hen, but Pa all Pa did was laugh and say, \u2018well Martha, boys will be boys\u2019.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t set to well with Ma, but she didn\u2019t say no more about it, until she thought I was asleep, and then my folks got into an argument about it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u00a0 My pa yelled at me for nearly an hour, and then he said that I wasn\u2019t allowed to\u2026\u201d Joe suddenly realized what he was saying and stopped in mid-sentence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Trae surprised him by laughing.\u00a0 \u201cMy ma told my pa the same thing about you.\u00a0 She said you were a bad influence on me and that I have to stay away from you.\u00a0 She made Pa tell me the next morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t help but giggle.\u00a0 \u201cI told Pa that it wasn\u2019t your idea about playing hooky, it was mine, but he said that if you would follow along so easily with the idea, there was no telling what you might talk me into.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Both boys had reached the front door of the school and had stopped.\u00a0 Trae placed his hand on Joe\u2019s arm, stopping him from opening the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry ya got in trouble Joe, but I ain\u2019t sorry we did it.\u00a0 I had more fun those two days than I have since\u2026well\u2026since way before I found out,\u201d said Trae, all traces of humor gone now from his voice as he fought to control his emotions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Joe, you\u2019re a true friend.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey, what are friends for?\u201d laughed Joe as his voice cracked and he began coughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The coughing spell lasted for several minutes and there were times that Joe thought he might lose his breath.\u00a0 At last he was able to bring it under control and the pair of friends slipped quickly into the class.\u00a0 Miss Jones had her back to the door but was well aware of the boys as they tried to hurry to their seats.\u00a0 When she was sure that they had sat down, she turned, picking Joe to fix her eyes on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYoung man, you are late!\u201d she snapped, not happy with the way that she had been deceived the last two days of the previous week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Miss Jones, but I started coughing and couldn\u2019t stop,\u201d Joe explained and as if to prove his point, he sneezed and that set off another bout of coughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miss Jones snarled up her nose in distaste.\u00a0 \u201cWell for heaven\u2019s sake Joseph, excuse yourself and go get a drink.\u00a0 But mind you, you and Trae will stay after school this afternoon because of your tardiness.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was half way to the back door when he stopped and twirled around, his hand covering his mouth as he fought to silence his cough.\u00a0 \u201cBut Miss Jones\u2026\u201d he sputtered between coughs, \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026I promised my pa that I wouldn\u2019t be late\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Abigail looked up from her papers and glared at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that\u2019s a pity, but I\u2019m sure Ben Cartwright will understand when he reads the note that I am sending home with you.\u00a0 Now please, Joseph, go outside until you can control that awful hacking noise!\u201d\u00a0 Miss Jones pointed her finger at the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe quickly glanced at Trae, saw the anxious look on his face and then went out.\u00a0 Quickly he made his way to the old pump and pumped fresh water into the outside sink and taking an old tin cup from the make-do shelf, filled it with cool water.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stood in the warm sun for several minutes, trying to warm himself with the bright rays that filtered through the tall pines.\u00a0 He felt like running away, he wanted nothing more than to signal for Trae to join him and then he and his friend could slip off.\u00a0 Why not, he questioned himself, he was in trouble again and there would be no way that his father would understand.\u00a0 Ben had not even wanted to listen when Joe had tried before to explain why he and Trae felt the need to skip class the week before.\u00a0 Joe convinced himself that Ben would never believe him when he tried to explain why he had been late when Ben had delivered him to the school himself.\u00a0 Joe groaned, and then felt the trembles that coursed through his body, making him to shiver.\u00a0 His head ached, his stomach churned and when he started coughing again, the stomach reacted and suddenly emptied itself onto the ground.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and re-entered the classroom.\u00a0 He cast Miss Jones a quick glance and then sat down.\u00a0 The teacher handed Joe some papers, gave him brief instructions as to what he should be doing and then returned to her desk.\u00a0 Joe shuffled through the work and with a quick look at Trae he began working.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Time seemed to pass far too slowly as Joe worked on the problems that Miss Jones had scribbled down on the paper for him.\u00a0 His head throbbed, making thinking straight almost useless.\u00a0 He cut his eyes over at Trae and was shocked to find the boy with his head down on his desk, his eyes shut tightly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrae,\u201d whispered Joe softly, trying to wake the boy.\u00a0 The boy behind Trae heard Joe\u2019s muted whisper and poked Trae softly in the back.\u00a0 Trae groaned softly, catching the teacher\u2019s attention and bring her to her feet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrae Morgan, you wake up this instant,\u201d Miss Jones ordered in a commanding voice.\u00a0 \u201cThere will not be any sleeping in my class, do you hear me?\u201d she said as she made her way to the Morgan boy\u2019s seat.\u00a0 Giving the sleeping boy a good shake on the shoulder, Trae slowly opened his eyes.\u00a0 He was shocked to see the teacher towering over him and more surprised to find the entire class laughing at him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGet in the corner this second, young man!\u201d demanded Miss Jones, pointing to the nearest corner at the front of the class.\u00a0 \u201cYou may join your friend, Joseph, after school by staying late this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe groaned; he knew that Trae\u2019s parents would not be happy with having their son held after school.\u00a0 It seemed to him that the harder he and Trae tried, the worse things became for them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben paced the floor in front of the fireplace, his hands buried deep into the pockets on the side of his trousers.\u00a0 He stopped as the front door opened, revealing his youngest son.\u00a0 It was late, nearly six o\u2019clockaccording to the number of chimes that resounded in the suddenly quiet house.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gave a swift glance at his father and noted the unhappy expression on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 He pulled his hat off and hung it on the peg behind the door and with evident dread written on his young face, turned and faced his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI can explain\u2026\u201d he began as he walked slowly over to the fireplace and stopped in front of his father.\u00a0 Joe was aware of his two brother\u2019s eyes following him and watching their father\u2019s reaction to his late home coming.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben said not a word as he stood silent much like a statue and watched the boy fidget nervously.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHmm\u2026I\u2026ere\u2026I mean\u2026we were\u2026late and when we\u2026hmm\u2026went\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, what do you mean, late?\u00a0 I hope you are going to try to make me believe that you\u2026late\u2026for school.\u00a0 I happen to know that you were there in plenty of time,\u201d Ben stated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYessir, I\u2026know\u2026but after you\u2026left\u2026I started talking to Trae and then I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTalking to Trae?\u00a0 After I told you to stay away from him?\u201d Ben was getting madder by the minute.\u00a0 \u201cSo you wasted time doing something that you were told not to do and that made you late for class and\u2026let me guess, Miss Jones kept you after school, am I right?\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe dropped his head; it was useless, he thought.\u00a0 The way that his father worded it, it made it sound like there was much more to it than what really happened.\u00a0 Just at that minute, Joe began coughing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, get him some water,\u201d Ben instructed, his anger momentarily forgotten as concern took charge.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, are you all right?\u201d Ben said, gently slapping his son on his back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was nodding his head up and down.\u00a0 When Hoss returned with the glass of water and placed it in Ben\u2019s outstretched hand.\u00a0 \u201cHere son, drink this.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe accepted the glass and took a sip, \u201cthanks,\u201d he said as the coughing subsided.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s hand remained resting on Joe\u2019s shoulder as he watched the redness in his son\u2019s face fade away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBetter?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026about what happened this morning\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I don\u2019t want to talk about it right now.\u00a0 You feel a little warm, I want you to get ready for bed while I find Hop Sing\u2019s cough medicine for you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled slightly and brushed back a stray curl from Joe\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 \u201cGo on, get upstairs, I\u2019ll be up in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on Joe,\u201d said Hoss, \u201cI\u2019ll give you a hand.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe and Hoss proceeded to the stairs but Joe stopped and turned back to his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026please don\u2019t be mad at Trae, he didn\u2019t do anything\u2026honest,\u201d Joe said in a quivering voice.\u00a0 \u201cI know you don\u2019t like him, but he\u2019s my friend and I do like him.\u00a0 He\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s\u2026\u201d Joe gulped, his eyes suddenly filling with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Without finishing his sentence, Joe turned and rushed up the stairs, unable to speak, as his emotions became too overwhelming for him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben exchanged looks with Adam and then Hoss, taken back by his youngest son\u2019s actions.\u00a0 \u201cWell I wonder what in the world that was all about?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBeats me,\u201d replied Hoss and followed after Little Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time that Ben had collected the cough remedy and taken it upstairs to Joe\u2019s room, Joe had already fallen to sleep.\u00a0 Ben slipped softly into the room to the bed.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help the smile that tugged at his lips as he gazed down into the face of his youngest son.\u00a0 Ben sat down on the edge of the bed, gently shaking Joe\u2019s shoulder to attempt to waken the boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCome on Joe, wake up son.\u00a0 I have this medicine for you to take,\u201d encouraged Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe moaned softly and finally after two more tries by his father, opened his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cOh, hi Pa,\u201d smiled Joe as he coughed again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben poured some of the medicine into a spoon and held it to Joe\u2019s lips.\u00a0 \u201cTake this, it will help stop that cough.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe eyed the medicine in the spoon and then eyed his father.\u00a0 \u201cDo I have to?\u00a0 I don\u2019t feel so bad,\u201d he asked hopefully.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes you have too.\u00a0 It\u2019s either this, or I send for Doctor Martin.\u00a0 Now what\u2019s it to be?\u201d Ben said sternly, though a smile softened his words.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t play fair,\u201d moaned Joe as he relented and opened his mouth for his father.\u00a0 Ben tipped the spoon up until all of the medicine was gone and poured another spoonful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOne more,\u201d smiled Ben as Joe scrunched up his face at his father and opened his mouth a second time to receive the yucky tasting medication.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben placed the cap back on the bottle and set it and the spoon aside, on the table.\u00a0 He then arranged the blankets to suit himself in an effort to make his son comfortable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAm I going to die?\u201d Joe surprised Ben by asking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s shock registered on his face.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, of course not, you just have the beginnings of a cold.\u00a0 Probably from swimming in that cold water,\u201d he added.\u00a0 \u201cBut why would you ask such a thing?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe pinched his lips together and shrugged his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 What\u2019s it like when you die?\u00a0 I mean\u2026what\u2019s it feel like, does it hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled softly at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWell son, I can\u2019t say for sure what it feels like.\u00a0 About the only thing that I can tell you is that the actual dying, you know, when your spirit leaves your body, that doesn\u2019t hurt.\u00a0Unfortunately, sometimes the thing that kills you could hurt.\u00a0 Like when someone gets shot and dies from the wound, or maybe someone is very, very sick, and has suffered for a long time, the sickness might hurt the body, but then again, the act of dying I don\u2019t think would hurt.\u00a0 Why son, why do you want to know?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was just wondering, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 Do you suppose that when mama died, it hurt?\u201d inquired Joe in a soft voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo son.\u00a0 When your mother died, it was sudden, very quick.\u00a0 One minute she was there, riding into the yard and in a blink of an eye, she was gone.\u00a0 I honestly believe that she felt nothing, not even the pain in her body before she passed.\u201d\u00a0 Ben brushed back the stray curls from Joe\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026why does God let some people die quick like, and others are made to suffer for a long time?\u00a0 Why does he allow someone so young to die?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was having a hard time holding back his tears and when he blinked, tiny droplets of water trickled down the sides of his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, what\u2019s wrong son?\u00a0 Why are you crying, sweetheart?\u201d Ben whispered while his thumbs wiped away the moisture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe quickly swiped his hands across his eyes and took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cNo reason, I guess I\u2019m just tired.\u00a0 Can I go to sleep now?\u201d he asked, his questions forgotten now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOkay Joe, close your eyes,\u201d whispered Ben, tucking the edge of the blankets around his son.\u00a0 Ben leaned down and placed a kiss on top of the curls.\u00a0 \u201cGood night son, God bless.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe gave his father a tiny smile and turned onto his side.\u00a0 \u201cNight Pa,\u201d he said as his voice drifted off.\u00a0 \u201cSorry\u2026about\u2026today\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled, though the gesture went unseen by the recipient who had quickly fallen to sleep. Ben turned the lamp\u2019s wick down low and slipped from the room, his son\u2019s questioning fuel for his troubled thoughts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the next morning, Joe\u2019s cough seemed better.\u00a0 Ben was reluctant to send Joe on to school, but with the missed days the week before, he felt it necessary for his son to go and catch up on the work that he had fallen behind on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, please, try to stay out of trouble today,\u201d smiled Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI let yesterday slide, but if it happens again, I promise you, I will take more drastic measures, ones I\u2019m sure you will not like, do I make myself clear?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sat astride his horse as he absorbed his father\u2019s words.\u00a0 \u201cYessir,\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cGood, now get going,\u201d said Ben as he stepped back, giving Joe and his horse time to turn around.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSee ya tonight,\u201d called Joe over his shoulder as he disappeared around the corner of the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Joe reached the school, he hurried to stable his horse and once back out into the bright morning sun, his eyes searched the group of children who were slowly gathering, for his friend, Trae.\u00a0 Joe strolled through the schoolyard but could not find Trae among the children.\u00a0 He was just about to ask a group of boys if they had seen him when Miss Jones began pulling on the rope that was attached to the bell.\u00a0 The bell clung noisily, a signal for the children that a new school day had begun.\u00a0 Kids seemed to have appeared from all about the yard as they hurried inside.\u00a0 Joe lagged behind, delaying for as long as he could for his friend.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, are you coming inside?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Miss Jones\u2019 voice drew his attention away from his search and he had no other recourse but to go inside.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The morning dragged on endlessly for Joe.\u00a0 He had expected to meet up with Trae in hopes that they might be able to spend a few minutes together.\u00a0 Joe liked Trae, though the other boy was nearly a year younger than Joe was, they had found that they had a lot in common.\u00a0 A city boy by birth, Trae loved the wide opened spaces around Virginia City and Joe soon learned that the boy had a deep seeded desire to know all there was about ranching, living on a big spread such as the Ponderosa.\u00a0 He loved for Joe to tell him about the mustangs, and about the cowboys who rode the horses until they could buck no longer.\u00a0 When Joe told of the round-ups and the branding, Trae had asked a million questions and had hung on every word that Joe had said.\u00a0 Trae had soon become Joe\u2019s shadow and followed him everywhere, and Joe loved the attention.\u00a0 He loved sharing the stories with his friend that his father had passed down to him about the days that Ben and Adam had traveled in covered wagon all the way from Boston to settle and finally stake their claim to the land that made up the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Today had become drudgery for Joe, Trae was absent, his own head had begun to pound, his stomach churned and then, late in the day, the dry hacking cough had started.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Miss Jones\u2019 had said as she stood at the side of his desk, \u201cwhy don\u2019t you go on home?\u00a0 I see just by looking at you, you feel terrible.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t want any of the other children to catch that awful cough.\u00a0I\u2019ve written a note for you to give to your father, explaining why I\u2019m sending you home.\u00a0 Now please, gather your things and go home, and young man, go straight to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe felt awful as he took the note from the teacher and began gathering his things.\u00a0 By the time that he had made his way to the tiny stable to saddle his horse, he felt has if he had put in a long day working.\u00a0 He could feel the tiny beads of sweat gathering on his brow as he swiped his hand across his face in order to wipe away the slowly dripping beads.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhew\u2026come on old boy, let\u2019s go home.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pulled himself up into his saddle and gently kicked his mount\u2019s side, urging him on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was standing in the yard talking to Hoss when Joe arrived home.\u00a0 Hoss, who was facing Joe, glanced up and then whispered to his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUt Oh, looky who\u2019s home early.\u00a0 Wonder why he got sent home?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned, surprised to see Joe entering the yard.\u00a0 He waited until Joe had stopped and dismounted before moving to his son\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re home a mite early today,\u201d commented Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded his head in agreement, \u201cMiss Jones sent me home.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s face formed a frown as his hands found their way to his hips.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u00a0 What kind of trouble have you gotten into this time?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes quickly sought his father\u2019s face, stunned by the harsh words and the tone of his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 He felt awful and the only thing that his father could think about was what kind of trouble he might be in.\u00a0His temper quickly sprang to life as he glared angrily at his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy do always think the worst of me?\u201d Joe snapped as he flashed his anxious, tear filled eyes at his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was taken back by the sharpness of his son\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, do not take that tone of voice with me!\u00a0 I only thought that since you were home early that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat I was in trouble again?\u00a0 That maybe Trae Morgan had led me astray?\u00a0 Is that it Pa?\u00a0 Well, you\u2019re wrong, that\u2019s not it at all!\u201d grumbled Joe as he turned to lead his mount into the barn.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJOSEPH! YOU STOP RIGHT THERE, YOUNG MAN!\u201d Ben bellowed, his own anger at his son\u2019s insolence washing away what was left of his good mood.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe stopped but refused to turn around and face Ben.\u00a0 Ben stomped across the yard to stand behind his son. <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s voice was low but carried a depth to it that warned Joe that he had better do as instructed.\u00a0 Slowly Joe turned and looked up at his father.\u00a0 It was then that Ben saw the flushed cheeks, the sweat dampened brow and the tears that had begun to seep tiny beads from the corners of his son\u2019s hazel eyes.\u00a0 Instantly, Ben\u2019s anger vanished as he placed a strong hand down on the top of Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d he said, and the way in which he voiced aloud the boy\u2019s name, was all it took to shatter Joe\u2019s reserve.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe flung himself into his father\u2019s arms and wrapped himself within Ben\u2019s embrace, and wept.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to be so rude\u2026it\u2019s just that\u2026that\u2026everything is all wrong\u2026nothing\u2019s right anymore\u2026and I feel so awful.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s hands cradled his son\u2019s head against his chest as he allowed the boy to rid himself of his frustrations.\u00a0 \u201cShh\u2026Joe, I\u2019m not sure what you mean, but everything\u2019s going to be okay.\u00a0 You\u2019re burning up son, let\u2019s get you into the house and into bed.\u201d\u00a0 Ben gently turned and began guiding Joe towards the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As they reached the porch, a rider rode into the yard just as Ben ushered Joe into the house.\u00a0 Joe, whose head was still buried against his father, failed to see the man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, Mister, what can I do for you?\u201d greeted Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHowdy, I was wonderin\u2019 if\u2019n I might speak to Ben Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss noted the harried look on the man\u2019s face and thought how stressed the man seemed.\u00a0 He glanced at Ben who had continued to lead Joe into the house and wondered briefly if this was a good time for the man to speak with his father, after all, Joe had been mighty upset about something and needed his father\u2019s attention, probably more than this stranger.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The gentleman cleared his throat.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, sorry sir.\u00a0 Come on to the house, Pa just took my little brother inside, he came home early from school today, ain\u2019t sure why.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss chuckled softly, \u201csure hope the little scamp ain\u2019t been playin\u2019 hooky again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The man glanced up at Hoss, his expression troubled, his eyes filled with sadness.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what I wanted to talk to your Pa and brother about.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They had reached the door and Hoss twisted the handle and allowed himself and his guest inside. \u00a0\u201cPa,\u201d Hoss called.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben and Joe were at the bottom of the steps when the sound of Hoss\u2019 voice stopped them. \u201cPa, there\u2019s a man here to see ya,\u201d Hoss called.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben paused and looked toward the door where Hoss was ushering the man inside.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, you go on up stairs son, I\u2019ll be up in a few minutes.\u201d\u00a0 Ben gently nudged his son forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe glanced back at the visitor and then up at his father.\u00a0 \u201cGo ahead son,\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe did as instructed and continued to his room.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Ben slowly made his way over to where the stranger stood next to Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m Ben Cartwright, what can I do for you?\u201d greeted Ben as he offered his hand to the man.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The gentleman accepted the outstretched hand and shook it.\u00a0 \u201cThank you Mr. Cartwright, for seeing me.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded his head toward the stairs, \u201cwas that Little Joe?\u201d he asked, surprising Ben with his question.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes narrowed, wondering why this stranger seemed so interested in his youngest son.\u00a0 The man saw Ben\u2019s hesitancy and quickly continued.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry sir, my name is Ralph Morgan, I\u2019m Trae Morgan\u2019s father.\u00a0 My son was a friend of Little Joe\u2019s,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben laughed softly, suddenly feeling a mite foolish.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Mr. Morgan, I didn\u2019t know\u2026yes of course, Trae, Joe has told me a lot about him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, Trae spoke very highly of your son, to.\u00a0 He admired Little Joe, and I can understand why.\u00a0 Though I\u2019ve never met the boy, from what Trae told me, he must be a very fine young man,\u201d Ralph went on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe is a fine young man, I\u2019m very proud of him.\u00a0 But please, won\u2019t you have a seat?\u201d\u00a0 Ben pointed to the settee and stepped aside to give the man room to make himself comfortable.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMay I offer you something to drink?\u00a0 A brandy, or cup of coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralph shook his head, politely refusing the hospitality.\u00a0 \u201cNo thank you, I have to get home\u2026my wife\u2026well\u2026hmm, say Mr. Cartwright, would it be possible for me to speak with Little Joe?\u00a0 There\u2019s something that I need to tell him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy son\u2019s not feeling too well, Mr. Morgan.\u00a0 He was sent home from school early and I\u2019ve just sent him upstairs to bed\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease, I assure you, it\u2019s very important.\u00a0 I promise, I\u2019ll not take up much of his time, as I\u2019ve already stated, I\u2019m needed at home, sir,\u201d Ralph insisted.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAll right, if he isn\u2019t already asleep.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned to Hoss who had been standing nearby.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, will you please tell Joseph to come down here?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben motioned for his guest to have a seat and this time, Morgan allowed himself to be guided to the settee where he lowered himself onto the edge of the couch.\u00a0 In a matter of minutes, Joe appeared at the top of the landing, clad only in his nightshirt, his feet bare.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben hurried over and slipped his arm about his son\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, you should have something on your feet, son,\u201d Ben scolded gently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSorry Pa,\u201d the boy muttered softly, his eyes searching his father\u2019s face questioningly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gently guided his son over to the wide boarded table.\u00a0 Mr. Morgan stood to his feet to greet Joe as Ben inched him forward.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, this is Trae\u2019s father, Ralph Morgan,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes lit up as he extended his hand in greeting.\u00a0 \u201cHowdy, Mr. Morgan,\u201d smiled Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralph shook Joe\u2019s hand, holding the smaller one within his two.\u00a0 His eyes filled with tears as he smiled at his son\u2019s friend.\u00a0 \u201cThe pleasure is mine, son.\u00a0 Trae has told me a great deal about you.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Joe replied, puzzled by the expression on the man\u2019s face.\u00a0 Joe turned to his father, realizing that Ben had also witnessed the man\u2019s eyes brimming with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMr. Morgan, what is it that you wanted to talk to my son and myself about?\u201d Ben hurried on.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d\u00a0 Ralph dropped Joe\u2019s hand and flopped down on the settee, covering his face with his hands.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat on the wide boarded table in front of the man, glanced up at Joe who watched, wide eyed at the man who appeared to be weeping.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cRalph?\u201d Ben uttered in a compassionate voice.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, tell us, what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralph took a deep breath and wiped his large worked scared hands across his face.\u00a0 \u201cPlease excuse me, Mr. Cartwright, let me explain,\u201d he glanced up at Joe who had not moved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe watched the man struggling to compose himself as he felt his insides begin to churn with dread and fear.\u00a0 His thoughts went back to his day at school and the absence of his friend, this man\u2019s son, Trae.\u00a0Suddenly Joe felt his own eyes pool with tears and he began to tremble violently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d he whispered in a muted voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was quick to his feet, wrapping his arms about his son.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, what is it son?\u201d Ben asked with deep concern.\u00a0 \u201cHere, sit down.\u201d\u00a0 Ben forced Joe onto the settee, next to Mr. Morgan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wiped away his tears before they had a chance to escape and turned to his friend\u2019s father.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Trae isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 That\u2019s why you\u2019re here\u2026he\u2019s\u2026he\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mr. Morgan glanced over at Ben and then back to Joe, placing his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 He nodded his head gently.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI knew you would want to know.\u00a0 Trae admired you so much, Little Joe.\u00a0 He counted it a privilege to be your friend, he asked me to tell you thank you for all that you did for him\u2026\u201d Morgan\u2019s voice cracked as his throat thickened with emotion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s tears streamed down his face as he turned to Ben and buried his face deeply against his father\u2019s breast.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s arm\u2019s automatically wrapped themselves around his son\u2019s trembling body and held his son tightly.\u00a0 Hoss, who had placed his large frame down in the blue chair wiped his own face to dry the moisture that had gathered in his eyes as he watched his little brother’s breakdown.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMorgan, I\u2019m not sure I understand?\u201d Ben muttered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralph cleared his throat and looked into Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 In a voice that betrayed none of the inner turmoil that the grief stricken man felt he explained.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy son is dead, sir.\u00a0 He died this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes widened in shock and horror.\u00a0 He felt Joe pressing deeper into his chest.\u00a0 \u201cHow?\u00a0 What happened?\u201d Ben forced the question.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, my son Trae, has been sick for a very long time.\u00a0 That\u2019s why my wife and I decided to come out here.\u00a0 The doctors back east thought that maybe the cleaner air would help him.\u00a0 No one knew; we made a point of not telling anyone.\u00a0 Only the doctor here knew, naturally we had to confide in him, but then later, we found out that Trae had told your son.\u201d\u00a0 Morgan took a deep breath.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why the boys played hooky at school, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 There were so many things that Trae wanted to learn about living out here.\u00a0 Trae was dying and he knew that his time was short.\u00a0 That\u2019s why, when Joe volunteered to show my son some of the wonderful sights around here and teach him about the wild life, how to skip stones, where the bear cubs lived and even taught Trae how to ride a horse, I couldn\u2019t find it in my heart to punish the boy for skipping school.\u00a0 Trae was happier those two days than I had seen him in\u2026well\u2026several months, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 And I\u2019ve your son to thank for that.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben was silent for several minutes before finding his voice.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Mr. Morgan, very sorry.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know about your son, Joseph didn\u2019t say a thing to me about him being so ill.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben\u2019s hand lovingly caressed the back of Joe\u2019s neck as he held his son.\u00a0 Joe raised his head, looking into his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t Pa, Trae asked me not to say anything.\u201d\u00a0 Joe glanced around at Mr. Morgan.\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry too, sir, I know you didn\u2019t want Trae to say anything to anyone, but\u2026well\u2026one day we got started talking about what happens to someone when they die\u2026and Trae just sorta let it slip out.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t mean too, honest,\u201d Joe explained as he turned his face back to his father.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay Little Joe, I\u2019m just glad that Trae had a friend such as you,\u201d Mr. Morgan said as he stood to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d best be getting back home, I didn\u2019t wanna leave the Miss\u2019us too long.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben stood to his feet, pulling Joe up with him and bid Ralph good-bye.\u00a0 \u201cIf there\u2019s anything that we can do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, you\u2019ve done enough, just by allowing your son to be a friend to a dying boy.\u00a0 I can\u2019t thank you enough for that, Mr. Cartwright, Joe,\u201d smiled Ralph weakly as he offered Ben his hand in friendship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook the man\u2019s hand and then Ralph turned to Joe who had started coughing again.\u00a0 \u201cYa best get back to bed young man, that cough ain\u2019t soundin\u2019 so good.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s right son,\u201d Ben said, as he watched Joe with concern.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, will you make sure that Joe gets settled in?\u00a0 I\u2019ll see Mr. Morgan out?\u201d Ben asked of his middle son who had hurried to his brother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure \u2018nough, Pa.\u00a0 Come on Short Shanks, let\u2019s get ya upstairs,\u201d Hoss said kindly as he slipped his arm around his brother and gently guided him to the staircase.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe paused, his coughing under control as he turned and called to Mr. Morgan.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Morgan, will you tell your wife how sorry I am about Trae, please sir,\u201d Joe sniffed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralph forced his lips into a small smile as he nodded his head in response.\u00a0 \u201cThank ya Little Joe, for everything.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be sure to tell her, for ya.\u00a0 Ya take care of that cough now, ya hear?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYessir, I will,\u201d replied Joe as he glanced up at Hoss who waited patiently behind the smaller boy.\u00a0 \u201cCome on Punkin,\u201d whispered Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss had seen his brother\u2019s tears and felt the sorrow that the boy was feeling for the lost of his friend.\u00a0 Joe slowly made his way to his room and allowed his brother to help him into bed.\u00a0 Once he had Joe settled comfortably, Hoss sat on the edge, next to Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYa all right, Short Shanks?\u201d Hoss asked with compassion in his voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe wiped at his eyes to dry the tears that had filled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose,\u201d he said in a hoarse voice.\u00a0 Joe glanced up into Hoss\u2019 blue eyes and felt his own sting once again with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss, are ya afraid to die?\u201d Joe asked in a tiny voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss scrunched up his face for a few moments, trying to find words to answer his brother\u2019s question.\u00a0 After what seemed like minutes, he faced Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d be atellin\u2019 a lie if\u2019n I said no, but it ain\u2019t the dyin\u2019 that scares me Joe, it\u2019s more like the not knowin\u2019\u2026I mean\u2026not knowin\u2019 for sure what happens to a person, once they\u2019re dead.\u00a0 Pa\u2019s tried to tell us, but even he cain\u2019t say for sure,\u201d Hoss smiled teasingly, \u201c since he ain\u2019t had no first hand experience.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe smiled at his brother\u2019s comment and just as quickly became serious again.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m scared Hoss.\u00a0 I never really thought about actually dying, me I mean.\u00a0 I\u2019ve thought about what would happen to me if Pa, or you or Adam were to die.\u00a0 But I\u2019ve never thought much about my own death, that is\u2026well\u2026since Trae told me that day that he was dying, I\u2019ve thought a lot about it, and it scares me,\u201d confessed Joe, his eyes beginning to seep with tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAw\u2026shucks, Joe,\u201d smiled Hoss, \u201cthere ain\u2019t nothing goin\u2019 to happen to ya, why\u2026you\u2019re just a young\u2019un,\u201d Hoss said, trying to reassure his worried brother.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s head shot upward as he stared into the blue eyes that watched his face.\u00a0 \u201cTrae was younger than me Hoss and he\u2019s dead!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss saw the tears that rolled gently down his brother\u2019s face and he hung his head, unable to watch the sadness that spread across the young face.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Joe\u2026I guess I wasn\u2019t thinkin\u2019,\u201d Hoss muttered in a low voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When he heard Joe sniff his nose, he raised his head.\u00a0 \u201cCome here, pal,\u201d Hoss whispered as he gathered the weeping boy into his embrace and held him tightly, allowing his brother to cry himself out.\u00a0 After several minutes, Joe pulled away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d he said in a tiny voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe, looky\u2026none of us knows when we\u2019ll die, only that someday\u2026hopefully a long time away, that we will die.\u00a0 It\u2019s part of livin\u2019 Joe, that\u2019s what Pa\u2019s always told me.\u00a0 \u2018To die one must live\u2026and to live\u2026one must die\u2019 I think them\u2019s the words he said to me when your mama died.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t never forgot\u2019em either,\u201d Hoss explained.\u00a0 \u201cAnd when we\u2019s good, we\u2019ll go to heaven, just like mama did and we\u2019ll all be together again.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss leaned forward and using his thumbs dried his brother\u2019s tears.\u00a0 \u201cTry not to think about it Punkin, ya need to rest now.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss pulled the blankets up under Joe\u2019s chin.\u00a0 \u201cClose ya eyes little brother,\u201d ordered Hoss and waited until Joe had done as he was told.\u00a0 When Joe\u2019s eyes were sealed, Hoss leaned down and played a kiss on his brother\u2019s brow.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes snapped opened and he smiled up into his brother\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks Hoss,\u201d he whispered and closed his eyes once more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss patted the tear stained cheek with his large beefy hand and stood up, wiping away the sudden rush of tears that threatened to spill over the rims of his blue eyes.\u00a0 He slipped silently from the room, pulling the door closed behind him as he went out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He turned and found his father standing behind him, a look of concern on his face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s okay Pa, he\u2019s sleepin\u2019,\u201d Hoss explained, dabbing at his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAre you okay, son?\u201d Ben questioned.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure\u2026but Joe\u2019s scared\u2026he\u2019s afraid he\u2019s gonna die young, like Trae.\u00a0 I tried to reassure\u2019em, but I ain\u2019t for certain I did much good,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHoss,\u201d whispered Ben as he placed his hand on Hoss\u2019 broad shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cTrae\u2019s death hit your brother hard.\u00a0 It\u2019s not every day that someone so young, like Trae, is taken from this world.\u00a0 It can leave a young man, like Little Joe, feeling very vulnerable and frightened.\u00a0 The fact that Joe is getting sick, only adds fuel for his fright.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry Hoss, I\u2019ll stay with him and if he needs to talk to anyone, I\u2019ll try to explain things to him.\u00a0 Right now, I think it would be best if you and Adam ride over to the Morgan\u2019s and see what you can do to help them,\u201d suggested Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIs Adam back from town yet?\u201d Hoss inquired.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, he just rode in.\u00a0 I\u2019ve already explained to him about Trae, he\u2019s waiting for you outside,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cDo what you have to, I\u2019ll stay with Joe.\u00a0 Please, Hoss,\u201d Ben added as Hoss turned to go.\u00a0 \u201cGive Mrs. Morgan my deepest regards.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss nodded his head, \u201cI will, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A low murmuring sound that came from somewhere in the upstairs part of the house awakened Ben.\u00a0 He lay absolutely still, listening as he tried to figure out what the sound was and where it was coming from.\u00a0 It seemed to come and go and then quite unexpectedly was interrupted by Joe\u2019s persistent cough.\u00a0 Ben jumped from his warm bed and slipped into his robe as he hurried down the hall.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe was practically sitting up in the bed, coughing and hacking.\u00a0 He was struggling to pull air into his heaving lungs as the cough lingered.\u00a0 When Ben placed his hand onto Joe\u2019s brow, he was startled to feel the heat that radiated from the hot flesh beneath the palm of his hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben whispered as he hurried to pour water into a glass and offer it to Joe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe shook his head back and forth and held his hand up to stop his father\u2019s actions.\u00a0 \u201cNo,\u201d he said as he struggled to get the word out.\u00a0 The persistent cough stopped finally and Joe was able to suck in large gulps of air.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m okay now,\u201d he muttered, allowing his head to return to the pillow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben still held the glass in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cPlease son, take a small sip, it will help your throat,\u201d Ben instructed as he raised Joe\u2019s head just enough to place the glass at Joe\u2019s lips.\u00a0 Joe allowed the cool water to enter his mouth and then swallowed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d he mumbled as he rested his head back and closed his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t feel so good, Pa,\u201d whined Joe, his eyes still shut.\u00a0 \u201cI hurt, everywhere, Pa\u2026please\u2026I don\u2019t want to die,\u201d he cried as tiny tears emerged from beneath the thick lashes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh baby, you\u2019re not going to die,\u201d Ben promised.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re sick, that\u2019s all, but you\u2019re going to be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben managed to pull his eyes from Joe\u2019s face and look up at Adam who had slipped silently into the room and joined Ben at his brother\u2019s bedside.\u00a0 \u201cJoe\u2019s burning up with fever,\u201d Ben whispered as he wet a cloth in the basin that he had filled with water.\u00a0 He returned to Joe and began wiping the tiny beads of sweat from his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s he saying about dying?\u00a0 Surely he doesn\u2019t think he\u2019s going to die?\u201d Adam questioned as he began buttoning his shirt.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just at that moment, Joe\u2019s eyes flickered opened as he searched frantically for his brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI right here little buddy,\u201d answered Adam, hurrying to his brother\u2019s side.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cTrae\u2026he died\u2026Adam,\u201d Joe muttered, his voice thick with emotion.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know Joe, Pa told me.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry about your friend, I know how you feel, I\u2019ve lost\u2026.\u201d Adam began and then stopped when Joe interrupted him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe was sick, too\u2026and he died,\u201d Joe said sadly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam pinched his lips tightly together and tenderly brushed the back of his hand along the side of his brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI know Joe, but he was sick in a different way than what you are,\u201d Adam said to comfort the sick boy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2019s right son, you just have a bad cold, or possibly the influenza, I\u2019m going to send Adam into town to fetch the doctor,\u201d Ben said and then turned to Adam who was still sitting on the edge of the bed with Joe.\u00a0 Ben nodded his head toward the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam took the hint and rose from the bed, giving his father room to sit next to Joe and place a cool cloth on the boy\u2019s brow.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be back later Joe, you take it easy and do like Pa tells you,\u201d smiled Adam.\u00a0 As he reached the door he stopped and turned back to glance at his brother, fear gripped his heart as he watched the pained expression cross the boy\u2019s face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cJoe,\u201d he called from the doorway, \u201ctry not to worry about dying\u2026I don\u2019t think even Heaven\u2019s ready for you and all your shenanigans,\u201d smiled Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAdam!\u201d retorted Ben, turning and seeing the smile on his oldest son\u2019s face, his voice softened.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe couldn\u2019t help but giggle and then groaned.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t make me laugh, Adam, it hurts too much.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam winked at his brother as he started to pull the door closed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cADAM!\u201d called Joe, stopping his brother in his tracks and sticking his head back around the door to peer into the room at his brother who was raised up on both elbows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d smiled Joe, dropping back into the softness of the pillows behind him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right Ben, it is influenza.\u00a0 This fever and cough are a sure sign.\u00a0 His throat is irritated but doesn\u2019t look too bad.\u00a0 Plenty of liquids, and lots of rest, that\u2019s what he needs.\u00a0 Just keep an eye on the fever, if it keeps climbing, let me know.\u00a0 I think bathing his body in cool water right now will help keep him comfortable.\u00a0 This should pretty much run its course within the next few days.\u00a0 Hop Sing can fix him something light to eat, but don\u2019t worry if he hasn\u2019t any appetite, his stomach can\u2019t take too much,\u201d instructed Paul Martin, the family\u2019s physician.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThank you Paul, for coming out,\u201d Ben said as he walked to the door with the doctor.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnytime Ben,\u201d smiled Paul.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose you heard about the Morgan boy?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, his father came by earlier and told us.\u00a0 It\u2019s sad, the boy was so young, only about a month shy of his fourteenth birthday I believe,\u201d Ben said.\u00a0 \u201cJoe took it pretty hard, they were friends.\u00a0 I found out when Mr. Morgan came by, that Joe knew that Trae was sick and could die anytime.\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t say anything to me about it, he just kept it to himself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNobody knew it, except for me, and the Morgans, naturally, and Joe.\u00a0 They were odd people Ben; they moved out here from back east somewhere and pretty much kept to themselves.\u00a0 I was surprised when they told me that the boy and Joe had taken up together. \u00a0Not that there was anything wrong with that, I just couldn\u2019t see Joe and Trae as having anything in common, guess that just goes to show you how wrong a person can be,\u201d laughed Paul.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben snickered and placed a hand on the doctor\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI was wrong about the boy too, Paul, and believe me, Joseph made a point to let me know about it.\u00a0 Said I was narrow-minded,\u201d Ben chuckled again, \u201cthe boy was right you know.\u00a0 I judged the Morgan boy without ever having met the lad.\u00a0 That was wrong of me and by doing so, I hurt my own son.\u00a0 I punished him for playing hooky from school, when all the time, he was giving a dying boy his final wish.\u00a0 God, I wish I had been more patient and listened to Joe when he tried to explain.\u00a0 But you know me Paul, I started shouting at Joe the minute he walked in the door and didn\u2019t have enough good sense to stop until the boy had been reduced to tears.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t see beyond the fact that Joe had been so deceptive, but now I understand why.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen, I don\u2019t think Joe\u2019s going to hold it against you.\u00a0 As parents, we all make mistakes at times, it\u2019s only natural,\u201d Paul assured as he slipped on his coat and started out the door.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI suppose you\u2019re right, but I was wrong on this one, very wrong.\u00a0 Playing hooky, for any reason is wrong, but I do understand his motives and why he couldn\u2019t tell me the reasons for doing so.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen tell Joe you were, he\u2019ll understand, he\u2019s a good boy, Ben.\u00a0 Cherish him.\u00a0 When I think about Ralph Morgan and what he\u2019s lost\u2026well\u2026makes me appreciate what I have, even if my son is a grown man,\u201d Paul reflected.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI agree, Joe\u2019s my pride and joy, even Hoss and Adam know that,\u201d smiled Ben.\u00a0 \u201cSpeaking of which, I\u2019d better get back upstairs, Joe hasn\u2019t wanted me out of his sight.\u201d\u00a0 Ben brushed his hand across his mouth and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s afraid of dying, Paul.\u00a0 He thinks because Trae was sick and died, now that he\u2019s sick, he\u2019s going to die as well.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen, it\u2019s reasonable, at least to Joe it is.\u00a0 Trae\u2019s death hit him hard, it\u2019s only been a few hours, and Joe\u2019s feeling lousy, his head hurts, his stomach is churning and he\u2019s weak with fever.\u00a0 And Ben\u2026you know as well as I do that that influenza has killed more people than even I like to think about, and Joe knows it too, he even asked me about it.\u00a0 I told him the truth, that yes, people have been known to die from influenza but I was quick to put his mind at ease, or at least I hope I did.\u00a0 I explained that we were able to catch his early on and that if he would follow my instructions to the tee, he\u2019d be fine.\u201d\u00a0 Paul chuckled to himself; \u201cat least it was a ploy to keep that boy in bed for the next several days.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll make sure he stays there too.\u00a0 Paul, thanks again,\u201d Ben shook his friend\u2019s hand and waited until the doctor had climbed into the buggy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSend word if you need me, Ben,\u201d Paul called as the buggy rolled away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo\u2026no!\u00a0 Please\u2026don\u2019t let me die!\u201d wailed Joe as he thrashed about on the bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben struggled to keep his son from falling onto the floor as he gently pushed Joe back against the pillows.\u00a0 \u201cShh\u2026take it easy son, you\u2019re not going to die,\u201d whispered Ben in a soothing voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s it Joe, take a deep breath.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe forced opened his eyes as he searched for the face belonging to the voice.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026my stomach\u2026I\u2019m going to be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The second that Ben saw Joe clutch his mid-section and uttered the word stomach, he had grabbed the water basin and held it under his son\u2019s chin.\u00a0 It was not a second too soon as the vomit spewed from Joe\u2019s mouth into the China bowl. Twice more Joe retched before emptying his stomach entirely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tears eased their way down the boy\u2019s flushed face as he looked up at his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa,\u201d Joe coughed.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cShh\u2026sweetheart, it\u2019s okay,\u201d said Ben passing the basin to Hop Sing who hurried from the room carrying the mess with him.\u00a0 Ben gently wiped Joe\u2019s face with a clean cool rag and helped him to get comfortable again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes had closed and Ben, thinking that he had gone back to sleep, lowered himself into the chair next to the bed and leaned back his head to rest.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026\u201d called Joe with a weak voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it son?\u201d Ben asked, straightening himself in his chair.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026\u201d Joe coughed again.\u00a0 When the coughing subsided, he wiped his eyes and continued.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted you to know that I\u2019m sorry for what I said to you the other day.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben seemed puzzled as he moved from the chair to the sit on the edge of the bed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not sure what you mean, Joe,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe sighed and took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember, the day you found out that Trae and I played hooky? You were saying things, about Trae and I\u2026I got mad at you\u2026and I accused you of being\u2026\u201d Joe gulped and turned his head slightly away from his father, \u201cnarrow-minded.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe heard Ben expel the air from his lungs and glanced over at his father.\u00a0 Ben was watching him closely and Joe was unsure of the expression he saw in his father\u2019s dark eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean it, honest,\u201d Joe whispered.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2026that\u2026you didn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t give you time to explain\u2026Joseph,\u201d Ben smiled, taking his son\u2019s hand into his, \u201cI was wrong for not giving you a chance to tell me why you were doing what you were doing.\u00a0 Playing hooky was wrong, you know that don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe nodded his head, \u201cYou\u2019ve always told us, \u2018when you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences,\u2019 I know that.\u00a0 I did choose to play hooky, it was my idea Pa, not Trae\u2019s, and I knew if you found out, you\u2019d be mad and I\u2019d get in trouble.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t mad at you for that, I was mad because\u2026well\u2026you seemed to judge Trae without even knowing him.\u00a0 I\u2026I didn\u2019t think that was\u2026fair of you,\u201d Joe said almost shyly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled again and brushed back the damp curls from Joe\u2019s brow.\u00a0 \u201cYou are absolutely right\u2026I was wrong son.\u00a0 I was judging when I should have been listening.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry Joe, very sorry but if you had told me ahead of time about Trae, I would have probably given you the time off that you wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, I couldn\u2019t, I just couldn\u2019t\u2026Trae asked me not too.\u00a0 And to be honest, I suppose that I thought just maybe, he was wrong\u2026about dying I mean.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pulled himself up into a sitting position and smiled softly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026I don\u2019t want ya to think I\u2019m a baby, but could ya just\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s eyes welled with unshed tears.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled and repositioned himself at the head of the bed next to Joe, forcing Joe to scoot over just a mite.\u00a0 When he was comfortable, he slipped his arm about Joe and pulled the boy\u2019s head down onto his shoulder.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, what story would you like for me to tell you?\u201d smiled Ben as he felt Joe\u2019s body relax against him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d ya know, Pa?\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBecause I\u2019m your father, it\u2019s my business to know what my son needs.\u201d\u00a0 Ben kissed the top of the dark mass of curls.\u00a0 \u201cWhat shall it be, a seafaring tale or my days in a covered wagon?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNeither Pa.\u00a0 I remember back when mama died.\u00a0 You told me about dying and why we do and what happens to us afterwards.\u00a0 I was older, probably eight or nine at the time and I think I was sick then too.\u00a0 You held me in your lap,\u201d Joe chuckled softly, \u201cI\u2019m too old for that, but I remember feeling safe and\u2026loved when you held me and told me about life and death and about heaven and eternity.\u00a0 Do ya think ya could remember what ya told me then and tell me now?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben gently squeezed his son a little tighter, yes, he remembered.\u00a0 He remembered well, for the message was passed down to him shortly after the death of Joe\u2019s mother from a dear friend of his.\u00a0 Ben smiled at the memory, the words had given him new meaning to life, had given him hope in his heart and had brought peace to his tormented soul.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI remember Joseph,\u201d Ben took a deep breath, unaware that Hoss and Adam stood nearby in the opened door, each remembering another time in their lives when their father had shared the same words with them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is a chronological called Death Opens the Door to Life Evermore,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He cleared his throat and in his deep comforting, baritone voice began speaking.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe live a short while on earth below,<\/em><\/p>\n Reluctant to die for we do not know<\/em><\/p>\n Just what \u2018dark death\u2019 is all about<\/em><\/p>\n And so we view it with fear and doubt<\/em><\/p>\n Not certain of what is around the bend<\/em><\/p>\n We look on death as the final end<\/em><\/p>\n To all that made us a mortal being<\/em><\/p>\n And yet there lies just beyond our seeing<\/em><\/p>\n A beautiful life so full and complete<\/em><\/p>\n That we should leave with hurrying feet<\/em><\/p>\n To walk with God by sacred streams<\/em><\/p>\n Amid beauty and peace beyond our dreams-<\/em><\/p>\n For all who believe in the Risen Lord<\/em><\/p>\n Have been assured of his reward<\/em><\/p>\n And death for them is just \u2018graduation\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n To a higher realm of wide elevation\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n For life on earth is a transient affair,<\/em><\/p>\n Just a few brief years in which to prepare<\/em><\/p>\n For a life that\u2019s free from pain and tears<\/em><\/p>\n Where time is not counted by hours or years\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n For death is only the method God chose<\/em><\/p>\n To colonize heaven and the souls of those<\/em><\/p>\n Who by the apprenticeship on earth<\/em><\/p>\n Proved worthy to dwell in the land of new birth\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n So death is not sad\u2026it\u2019s a time for elation,<\/em><\/p>\n A joyous transition\u2026The soul\u2019s emigration<\/em><\/p>\n Into a place where the soul\u2019s safe and free<\/em><\/p>\n To live with God through Eternity!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When Ben glanced down, Joe had fallen into a peaceful sleep.\u00a0 Being careful not to wake him, Ben eased out of the bed and gently lowered Joe\u2019s head onto the pillow, kissing his cheek.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A sound at the door caught Ben\u2019s attention and he turned, surprised to see his older two sons standing in the doorway.\u00a0 He returned the smile that graced both Adam and Hoss\u2019 face.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat was beautiful Pa, thanks,\u201d whispered Adam.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, just plum beautiful.\u00a0 Thanks Pa,\u201d chorused Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded his head and joined his sons in the hall.\u00a0 \u201cI just hope it helps him.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt will, you just wait and see,\u201d smiled Hoss.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s right Pa.\u00a0 When you tell it like that, it takes away the fear of death and gives you hope for the future.\u00a0 Joe knew that, that\u2019s why he wanted you to recite the poem,\u201d Adam stated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell, I guess I\u2019ll just have to wait and see, won\u2019t I?\u201d smiled Ben.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n He didn\u2019t have to wait long, within a week, a very impatient young man was feeling well enough to badger his father and two brothers about getting out of bed and getting on with life.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease Pa?\u00a0 I can\u2019t stand being in this bed anymore.\u00a0 I wanna see Cochise, I wanna go downstairs, I wanna go for a ride and I wanna go back to school\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Three sets of eyes stared in awe at the youngest Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cWHAT?\u201d they echoed together as their mouths dropped opened in shock.<\/p>\n Joe started giggling, \u201cWell, at least now I know that I have your attention!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n April 2003<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summary: \u00a0When a young friend and Joe play hooky from school, Joe won’t tell his father the real reasons, until it’s too late.\u00a0 Ben then has to find the words to comfort his son and explain why God allows such things as an untimely death, to happen.<\/p>\n Rated G \u00a0WC 15, 300<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":14743,"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,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[14,15,17,16],"class_list":["post-12199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prequels","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-ben","tag-hoss","tag-joe","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/death.jpg?fit=259%2C194&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12199","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\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12199"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12199\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n\u201cTurn around and look at me, young man.\u201d<\/p>\n\n