Summary:<\/b> When Joe becomes involved with a friend whose father turns out to be an abusive parent, the man’s actions have a devastating affect on all of the Cartwrights, especially Little Joe.<\/p>\n
Rated PG \u00a0WC 12,100<\/p>\n
The Whipping<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The boys stopped suddenly<\/strong> and twirled around to face the two men who had just entered the barn.\u00a0 Mr. Grant\u2019s face bore an expression of intense fury as he glared first at his son and then at Little Joe.\u00a0 The boys exchanged glances, fear beginning to seep into their hearts as Cal\u2019s father and uncle approached them.\u00a0 Neither one of the young boys knew why Mr. Grant wore such a furious look on his face; he hadn\u2019t taken the time to tell them. As the father reached out his massive hand and struck his son across his boyish face, Joe felt his body tremble in newfound fear, for never in his life had he seen a father strike his son in such a manner.<\/p>\n Cal staggered backwards, catching himself before he fell to the dusty ground.<\/p>\n \u201cPa!\u201d cried out the youth, his hand rubbing the red spot on his cheek where he had been struck.\u00a0 Joe, stunned, watched as his friend struggled to contain the tears that had so rapidly pooled in his brown eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019ca hit me for?\u00a0 I didn\u2019t do nothing,\u201d he stammered.<\/p>\n Mr. Grant approached his son and grabbed him by both arms, locking his strong fingers around each and jerking the boy to within inches of his face.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t lie to me, boy!\u201d spat the father, his spittle spraying in his offspring\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI know what you and this Cartwright brat have been doing in here, don\u2019t try to deny it!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe opened his mouth in protest for his friend but quickly clamped it shut again without uttering a word when the irate father turned his wrath on himself.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just keep quiet, Cartwright, I\u2019ll deal with you when I finish with my son,\u201d growled the furious man as he shook his finger at Joe.<\/p>\n Mr. Grant turned back to face his son.\u00a0 Joe could see the tears begin to seep down his friend\u2019s young face and saw the fear that had clouded the boy\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 Joe took a step backward, looking quickly over his shoulder toward the barn door and wondered if he could make a break for it.<\/p>\n Mr. Grant must have seen Joe\u2019s hesitation for he shouted at his brother to grab Joe, which Dave Grant quickly responded.\u00a0 Before Little Joe could even move, Dave had Joe\u2019s hands pinned tightly behind his back, forcing Joe to remain where he was.<\/p>\n \u201cNow you can watch, this is what happens when this rapscallion disobeys me!\u201d<\/p>\n With that, Mr. Grant, all in one quick movement, reached down and picked up a long thick board, then sat down on a wooden crate.\u00a0 He forcefully slung Cal across his lap wrapping his long legs around the squirming adolescent so that he could not get away from the man who held him captive.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s mouth dropped open, his eyes not wanting to believe what he saw as Mr. Grant began using the board, which had several small holes bored into the paddle and cringed when his friend\u2019s cries of mercy echoed within the thick walls of the barn.\u00a0 Joe, whose eyes had filled with tears, struggled to free himself from his captive\u2019s strong hands and fingers but was no match against the brawny man who held him tightly in his grip.<\/p>\n Cal\u2019s cries continued as his father pounded again and again at his son\u2019s buttocks.\u00a0 The boy\u2019s tears dripped from his chin as he screamed out for his father to please stop.\u00a0 The enraged man paid no heed to his son\u2019s requests and only when he had satisfied his own anger, did Mr. Grant at last stop, pulling his stunned boy up and onto his feet.\u00a0 Roughly he pushed the boy backward into the wall and shouted at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou stand right there and don\u2019t you move!\u201d<\/p>\n His rage turned to Joe, establishing a new kind of fear into the youngest Cartwright\u2019s heart.\u00a0 Sure, Joe had been spanked before, by his father and his older brother Adam, but he had never been made to suffer as Cal had just been made to do.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t touch me!\u201d shouted Joe as he struggled against the hands that still kept him from escaping.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t got no right to raise your hand to me, my Pa will kill you if you touch me!\u201d threatened Joe, hoping to bring the mad man to his senses.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re old man don\u2019t scare me none.\u00a0 So you think you are beyond getting what\u2019s coming to you?\u00a0 Well, I\u2019ll show you!\u201d raved Mr. Grant.<\/p>\n As his friend\u2019s father reached out to him, Joe began twisting and turning his body from side to side, all the while kicking his feet out at both men.\u00a0 It was useless, but Joe was determined that this half-crazed man would not do to him what he had just accomplished doing to his own son.<\/p>\n \u201cLET ME GO!\u00a0 WE DIDN\u2019T DO ANYTHING!\u201d screamed Joe in his own defense as fear rendered him near helpless.<\/p>\n \u201cGet some rope Dave, and tie his hands behind him,\u201d ordered Mr. Grant.<\/p>\n Dave quickly snatched a short length of cord from a nail and quickly pulled Joe\u2019s hands back behind his back and tied his hands tightly together.\u00a0 Joe continued to kick at both men until Chester, Cal\u2019s father, backhanded him, bringing his struggle to an abrupt halt.<\/p>\n \u201cNo Pa, No!\u00a0 You can\u2019t beat him, please Pa, don\u2019t,\u201d cried Cal, moving awkwardly toward his friend in a futile attempt to put a stop to what he knew would spell disaster to his father, should he succeed in his quest to wallop Ben Cartwright\u2019s youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cSHUT UP!\u201d screamed Chester, \u201cUnless you want more of this here paddle!\u201d bellowed Chester, waving the thick paddle frantically about in the air.<\/p>\n Cal glanced at Joe, saw his companion\u2019s fear and turned his head, unable to watch what was about to happen.\u00a0 Cal knew that Joe had endured his fair share of spankings, but was well aware of the fact that his friend had never once in his life, suffered a beating like what was about to take place.<\/p>\n Cal\u2019s tears spilled forth at the first sound of the heavy paddle resounding against his pal\u2019s backside.\u00a0 His father spared Joe no leniency; he was relentless as again and again the paddle pounded against the quickly bruising flesh of Joe\u2019s bottom.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s screams rang in the ears of his friend, forcing Cal to cover his own ears in hopes of muffling out the piteous sounds.\u00a0 Joe continued to struggle and kick his legs about.\u00a0 Chester paused momentarily while wrapping his long legs about Joe\u2019s in the same fashion he had done to his first victim.\u00a0 The action was immediately successful in putting a final halt to Joe\u2019s thrashing about and pinning the boy down, making him helpless to move and completely at Chester\u2019s mercy.<\/p>\n Cal tried to keep count of the wallops that his father rendered to his friend, but after ten or eleven, gave up the effort, for Joe had unexpectedly fallen silent.\u00a0 Cal jerked his head around and watched in horror as his father applied several more blows to the silent boy before standing and dumping Joe\u2019s body to the ground.\u00a0 Joe lay motionless at Chester\u2019s feet, soft whining sounds emitting passed his lips, which appeared bloody from having bitten down on them during the course of his abuse.\u00a0 Chester nudged at Joe with the toe of his boot, turning the hapless youth onto his side.\u00a0 Joe moaned as the pain increased in pressure when the weight of his body pushed against the damaged flesh of his backside.<\/p>\n \u201cGet out of here Cartwright, and don\u2019t you ever come back.\u00a0 If I see your face around here again, you\u2019ll get more than what you deserved this time,\u201d ordered Chester, standing back so that Dave could haul the boy to his feet and untie Joe\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n Joe staggered slightly, his hands moved to rub the soreness that burned his flesh.\u00a0 Tears of massive proportion dripped from his face as he glanced quickly at his friend whose face was still turned away from him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll be sorry for this,\u201d uttered Joe, swaying gently as he inched his aching, inflamed body toward the door.\u00a0 Joe opened his mouth to finish his statement but clamped it shut as Chester took a step in his direction.\u00a0 Joe turned suddenly and using all the strength he could muster under the circumstances fled the barn.<\/p>\n Joe quickly untied his horse and pulled himself up into the saddle.\u00a0 He nearly screamed as the pain shot upward from his bottom into the upper portion of his body.\u00a0 Joe was forced to clamp his lips tightly together and wondered whether or not he would be able to ride all the way back to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Joe leaned his body forward, resting the upper half over his horse\u2019s neck, and pushed with his feet in the stirrups, lifting the lowered half of his anatomy off the saddle.\u00a0 Joe rode for more than a mile in that fashion, until the aching in his legs forced him to pull his mount to a halt.<\/p>\n Using the utmost of caution, Joe slid from the saddle, staggered slightly as he felt his knees buckle and gripping the stirrup, he leaned his head against the side of the saddle.\u00a0 Joe took a deep breath of air to steady himself and forced his tears to stay within the wells of his eyes.\u00a0 The pain and discomfort that burned his bottom had become almost unbearable for the youth.\u00a0 Joe took a second deep breath and let it out more slowly, his thoughts turned suddenly to his father and Joe wondered what he would tell Ben.\u00a0 He knew if he told his pa how badly that Cal\u2019s father had beaten him, Ben would rip the man to pieces.\u00a0 Joe also knew that if that happened, his father could be in grave trouble, and that frightened the young boy even more than having to admit the truth about what had taken place.<\/p>\n Joe began walking slowly toward home.\u00a0 His body ached from the abuse he had been made to suffer but he could not make his feet quicken their steps.\u00a0 It would take him more than an hour at the rate he ambled along and he knew that his father would be put out with him for being late to supper.\u00a0 Joe also knew that his father would rant and rave, he could stand that, for Joe had learned to tune out much of his father\u2019s shouting when his father\u2019s voice reached a certain level.<\/p>\n Joe allowed his thoughts to turn again to his friend, Cal.\u00a0 He remembered other times that he had been witness to Mr. Grant\u2019s wrath when it had been directed at his son.\u00a0 Once Joe had arrived at the Grant home, only to find Cal\u2019s father coming from the woodshed, a riding crop clutched in his hand.\u00a0 Seconds later, Cal appeared, tears rolling off his chin and when Joe had questioned him about what had taken place, Cal admitted that his father had beaten him with the crop.\u00a0 Cal had tried to make light of the situation, saying that he was used to getting walloped like that, but Joe had had his doubts.<\/p>\n Days later, Cal had sported a black eye and busted lip when coming to school and had explained to Joe and the others that he had fallen from his horse.\u00a0 Joe doubted that story from the very beginning and later while alone with his friend, and he had pushed Cal for the truth, the young boy had broken down and cried, telling Joe that if he were to ever tell a soul, his father would beat him worse.\u00a0 Joe had promised his friend that he would not tell his Pa or brothers, but his conscience had troubled him for days about taking such an oath.\u00a0 Eventually with the passing of time, he and Cal had seemed to forget all about the promise and life went on as usual, until today, when Mr. Grant and his brother had burst into the barn, shouting and yelling at both of them.\u00a0 Joe wondered briefly what had set the match to the man\u2019s anger, for he and Cal had not been doing anything wrong, in fact, he had just finished helping the other boy with his afternoon barn chores.<\/p>\n Joe stopped to catch his breath and to give his weary body time to rest.\u00a0 His thoughts turned to home and his father.\u00a0 Joe remembered some of the times that Ben had been forced to spank him; Joe also remembered that along with each of those times, his father had taken a few minutes to explain to him, the reasons for which the spankings were being given.\u00a0 Afterwards, Ben had always gathered his remorseful son into his arms, assuring Joe of his love for him.\u00a0 Joe could not recall a time that Ben had failed to do this and never, never, thought Joe, had his parent struck him in anger or in the matter in which he and Cal had been beaten.\u00a0 Ben had been adamant, even to Adam, that his older son not discipline either of his younger brothers while angry. Adam had never forgotten his father\u2019s advice and therefore had never done to him, what Mr. Grant had done.\u00a0 The beating with the paddle had been a new and terrifying experience to young Joe Cartwright, one that would not soon be forgotten.<\/p>\n Joe sighed deeply, his buttocks ached and Joe knew that there would be a great deal of bruising to his flesh. He was very much aware that he would have to be careful, not to let his father or brothers see the result of the whipping he had been given.\u00a0 He felt his body shiver, he still trembled at the thoughts that haunted his memory, he could still feel the sting of the board as Cal\u2019s father beat it against his backside.\u00a0 Joe felt his eyes fill with tears and quickly wiped them away before they had a chance to run down his face.\u00a0 He would not tell his father, or his brothers, unless forced too, he was too ashamed and of what he was not even sure.<\/p>\n Ben sat at the dining room table, his elbows supporting his chin, his thoughts wandering to his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is that scamp?\u00a0 I told him to be home before supper, but does he listen, of course not!\u201d shouted Ben, answering his own question.<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss exchanged quick glances.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be along Pa, you know how that boy is, he\u2019s\u2026<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s head snapped upward, giving Adam a glaring look, \u201cYes, I am well aware of how he is\u2026he is ALWAYS late for supper!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam covered his mouth to hide the smile that tried to deepen the dimples on his handsome face.\u00a0 \u201cTake it easy Pa, he\u2019s only a few minutes late\u2026anything could have happened\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah Pa, maybe his horse threw a shoe or somethin\u2019,\u201d smiled Hoss, hoping to calm his father\u2019s anger.<\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath and looked at each of his sons.\u00a0 Suddenly a smile changed the scowl on his face and he laughed softly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right\u2026you would think that I would be used to it by now,\u201d he said, adding, \u201cI could change the supper time to accommodate his lateness, but if I did, he would only wander in later.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss snickered, \u201cwell, give him a few more minutes Pa, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be here as soon as he can\u2026he knows what happened the last time\u2026he couldn\u2019t sit for about a week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, now, you know as well as I do, that his being late had nothing to do with the thrashing I gave that boy\u2026it was his\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n The front door opened and all three members of Joe\u2019s family rose from their seats and met Joe just as he was hanging up his hat on the peg behind the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWell young man,\u201d said Ben in a soft voice, \u201cit\u2019s about time that you got home.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned slowly, withholding as long as he could, letting his family see his face.\u00a0 His cheek had a good-sized bruise where Chester had struck him and his lip had split.\u00a0 Joe dreaded having to face his father for he knew that he would have to lie about what really happened and it bothered him to have to do so.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d whispered Ben as his eyes spotted the mar on his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 Quickly Ben stepped closer to his son and cupped Joe\u2019s chin with his large gentle hands.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened to your face?\u201d he asked, moving Joe\u2019s head from side to side to compare each cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd your lip.\u00a0 Have you been fighting again, Joe?\u201d asked Adam, giving his father an anxious look.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t been fighting,\u201d snapped Joe in response.\u00a0 Joe briefly wondered why his older brother always expected the worse from him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, what did happen?\u201d his father questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing really,\u201d answered Joe as he tried to avoid his father\u2019s dark probing eyes.\u00a0 Ben, whose hand still cupped Joe\u2019s chin, gently forced Joe\u2019s head upward and looked deeply into the hazel eyes.<\/p>\n Joe wanted nothing more than to throw himself into his father\u2019s arms where he knew he would feel safe from the world around him, but he fought against the urge.\u00a0 Joe blinked his eyes, willing them to maintain a look of innocence.<\/p>\n \u201cHonest Pa,\u201d he lied, \u201cCal and I were just horsing around in the barn and knocked our heads together.\u00a0 It was an accident, that\u2019s all,\u201d he finished and pulled back his head, freeing it from his father\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n Ben smiled down at his youngest son and ruffled his curly hair.\u00a0 \u201cHow many times, young man, have I warned you about horsing around?\u00a0 See what happens when you don\u2019t listen?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, I know,\u201d Joe forced his lips into a smile.\u00a0 His father seemed satisfied with his reply and he sighed in relief.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay Joseph, go get washed up, Hop Sing has supper on the table,\u201d Ben ordered and watched as Joe sauntered off to the wash room.<\/p>\n \u201cPa,\u201d began Hoss, taking his father by the arm and stopping him from returning to the table.\u00a0 \u201cDid ya get a real good look at that boy\u2019s cheek?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stopped and faced both Adam and Hoss, \u201cYes son, I saw the mark.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell why\u2019d he lie then?\u00a0 Anyone could see that someone struck him and I don\u2019t mean by accident, someone either slapped or backhanded that boy!\u201d growled Hoss, his temper beginning to rise at the thoughts that someone had raised their hand against his baby brother.<\/p>\n \u201cI know that son, but we\u2019re not going to question him any further, do you both understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa, why, I mean, he\u2019s lying to you,\u201d stated Adam, taking his seat at the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI realize that Adam, but he was fighting back tears, I didn\u2019t want to get him all upset before supper, and besides, you know as well as I do that it is useless to push that boy for any kind of answer when it comes to this sort of thing.\u00a0 I detest fighting, and lying is worse, you both know that, and so does Joe.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t look to be hurt too badly and to be perfectly honest with you, I just don\u2019t feel like arguing with the boy before supper, so let it drop for now.\u00a0 I\u2019ll talk to him later, after we have supper.\u00a0 Now please, can we just eat?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben started to fill his plate, unaware of the strange glances that his older sons gave to one another.\u00a0 He raised his head slightly and cast a smile in Joe\u2019s direction when the younger boy joined his family at the table.<\/p>\n Joe lowered his body ever so slowly into his chair and forced himself to return his father\u2019s smile.\u00a0 He hoped that the intense pain he felt in his backside was not showing on his face as his rear made contact with the seat of the chair.\u00a0 Joe almost whined aloud at the burning and tingling sensations that seared his flesh.\u00a0 Quickly he glanced around the table, glad to see that each member of his family were busy piling their plates with Hop Sing\u2019s good home cooking.<\/p>\n It took every ounce of courage that Joe could rally to keep from screaming out in agony and to keep his eyes from filling with tears.\u00a0 Joe was in no mood to eat, he picked at his supper and moved his food around so that it would look to his father as if he had eaten part of his supper.\u00a0 His hands trembled, his fear was still fresh in his mind and he fought to hide his shaking from his family.\u00a0 When he could stand it no longer, Joe spoke up, trying to keep his voice from quivering.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I be excused?\u201d he said at last, casting a glance in his father\u2019s direction.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t real hungry, Cal and I had something to eat at his house.\u00a0 \u2018Sides, I think I\u2019ll turn in early, that is, if ya don\u2019t mind, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben studied his son\u2019s face, noting the strange way in which Joe\u2019s eyes darted from one to the other and back to himself.\u00a0 Strange, thought Ben, Joe seems nervous about something.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you feeling all right, son?\u201d he asked as he watched Joe\u2019s exchange of expressions.<\/p>\n Joe suddenly brightened, \u201cSure, don\u2019t I look all right?\u00a0 I mean, other than this busted lip.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe cringed; he hadn\u2019t meant to draw his father\u2019s attention to the split lip and silently prayed that his father would not ask again about how it had come to be.<\/p>\n Ben laughed and placed his hand over Joe\u2019s arm, surprised to feel the slight tremors that passed through his son\u2019s body.\u00a0 \u201cYou look fine Joseph, just go on to bed if you want to.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be up in a little while to say good night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks Pa,\u201d smiled Joe, rising slowly and moving away from the table.\u00a0 \u201cNight Adam, night Hoss,\u201d he forced the smile to remain on his face until he had his back completely turned from his family.\u00a0 The smile faded immediately, and was replaced with a frown.<\/p>\n Ben watched his son\u2019s retreating back as Joe made his way slowly toward the stairs.\u00a0 Something about the way that Joe carried himself, the way in which the boy walked, caused Ben\u2019s heart to fill with worry for his son.\u00a0 Perhaps, thought Ben, the boy was hurt worse than he had first expected, and he made a mental note to further question his son when he went in to say goodnight.<\/p>\n Joe made sure that his bedroom door was firmly shut before dropping his pants.\u00a0 He turned his backside to the mirror and twisted his head to look at the damaged flesh.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes widened in horror at the sight of his buttocks.\u00a0 The fatty tissue was black, blue, yellow and even red.\u00a0 There were blisters made from the holes in the wooden paddle and when Joe touched one of them, he groaned softly in discomfort.\u00a0 Turning, he could see that the bruises ran from one side of his bottom, across the middle to the other side.\u00a0 He had known that it would be bad, but he had had no inkling that the bruising would be so massive; now he was worried sick that he might not be able to hide the damage from his father.\u00a0 Not that Ben ever saw him in the buff anymore, but it was not uncommon for one of his brothers to come, unannounced into the wash room when he was bathing.\u00a0 Often as not, Adam or Hoss would shave while he soaked in the tub and neither brother gave a second thought as to being seen unclothed by one or the other sibling.<\/p>\n And then there was the agony that sent sharp burning sensations throughout his lower body each and every time he moved.\u00a0 Joe was unsure as to how he would be able to ride, much less complete a day\u2019s workload with the amount of discomfort that plagued his body.\u00a0 Without realizing that it was happening, his eyes suddenly filled with tears and when he tried to blink them away, they rolled slowly down his cheeks.\u00a0 Joe sniffed his nose and quickly brushed the dampness from his face.<\/p>\n Taking a clean nightshirt from the bureau drawer, Joe started to slip it over his head but stopped short, one arm already in place.\u00a0 He pulled his arm free of the clothing and tossed the garment back into the drawer, reached instead for his long john bottoms and quickly pulled them on.<\/p>\n \u2018Better not get caught with my butt shining,\u2019 he told himself as he tossed back the home made blankets that covered his bed and crawled in.<\/p>\n Joe turned onto his stomach, pulled the covers over his body and settled into position, closing his eyes tightly to the discomfort.\u00a0 Even the weight of the blankets seemed to remind him of the whipping he had suffered and in the darkness of his room he saw again the haunted and forlorn look he had witnessed in his friend\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 It was strange, he thought, he had never noticed that look on Cal\u2019s face before today.\u00a0 Joe felt himself tremble, remembering his own fright when he first realized that Cal\u2019s father had every intention of beating him along with his own son.\u00a0 It was something that Joe had never experienced and prayed that he would never have to do so again.<\/p>\n His thoughts turned to his friend, how many times in the past had Cal\u2019s father beaten him as he had done today?\u00a0 Was it common place, for Chester Grant to inflect such abuse to his own son to the degree that the boy\u2019s flesh would bruise so horribly, and if so, why would a father do that kind of a thing?\u00a0 Had the man no love or respect for his only son?\u00a0 Joe quickly and silently, tears glistening on his young face, offered up a prayer of thankfulness that his father, Ben Cartwright, had never rewarded his bad behavior with such cruel and painful methods.<\/p>\n It was the wee hours of the morning when Ben was suddenly jolted from his dreams by the piteous sounds of crying and screeching coming from down the hall.\u00a0 As Ben hurried to slip on his robe and rush from the room, Ben knew all too well whom it was that was making the doleful noises.\u00a0 Ben pushed opened the door to Joe\u2019s room and quickly raised the wick to the low burning lamp to allow more light to filtrate the room.\u00a0 Joe was thrashing about on his bed, his arms fraying wildly about in the air, tears streamed from his eyes that had yet to open.\u00a0 But what tore at Ben\u2019s heart were the pitiful pleas for mercy that his distraught son was uttering.<\/p>\n \u201cNO! NO! PLEASE, DON\u2019T HIT ME AGAIN, PLEASE\u2026OH…STOP!\u201d yelled Joe as his father leaned down and clasped the fraying arms between his strong but gentle hands.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2026Joseph\u2026son, wake up,\u201d Ben said in a soft voice, sitting down on the side of the bed and tenderly pulling his weeping son into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe\u2026come on sweetheart\u2026open your eyes\u2026that\u2019s it,\u201d smiled Ben as Joe\u2019s eyes finally opened and he spied his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Pa!\u201d wept Joe as he flung his arms about his father\u2019s neck and buried his face against Ben\u2019s robe.<\/p>\n Ben could feel the tremors that coursed through Joe\u2019s body and wondered at the intensity in which the boy clung to him.<\/p>\n \u201cSon, you were having a bad dream.\u00a0 Would you like to tell me about it?\u201d Ben asked as his own arms encircled his young son.<\/p>\n It was uncommon for Joe to be so distressed that he allowed even his father to hold him as he was doing.\u00a0 At fifteen, Joe was at the stage where being caught crying, much less held in his father\u2019s arms, was an embarrassment to himself.\u00a0 But Joe seemed not to care, for on this night, his fears and need for his father\u2019s comfort far out-weighed his thoughts of embarrassment.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s crying had stopped but he refused to remove himself from the protecting arms that continued to hold him.\u00a0 His tear stained face remained glued against the soft fabric of his father\u2019s robe as he nuzzled even deeper against the beating heart that had always brought comfort to his troubled soul.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s hand gently rubbed up and down Joe\u2019s back, his other hand held the side of Joe\u2019s head protectively against his chest where the boy seemed determined to stay.\u00a0 Ben said nothing for several long minutes, giving his son time to collect himself.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss had slipped silently into the room, and stood quietly behind their father, concern for their youngest brother showing on their sleepy faces.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything all right, Pa?\u201d Adam whispered.<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head at both boys.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s just had a nightmare.\u00a0 You boys go on back to bed, I\u2019ll stay with him for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right, but if\u2019n ya need us, yell for us, Pa,\u201d offered Hoss, standing in bare feet, his long nightshirt twisted about his over-sized frame.<\/p>\n \u201cI will, good night,\u201d whispered Ben, never missing a stroke with his hand that lovingly caressed Joe\u2019s back.<\/p>\n \u201cNight Pa,\u201d Adam muttered silently as he closed the door softly after Hoss and he had left the room.<\/p>\n Ben stopped his rubbing motion and gently placed a kiss on top of the curly mop of hair.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to talk about it now, son?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo\u2026I just want you to\u2026hold me, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben heard the sob that caught in the boy\u2019s throat and could not help but wonder what had caused the boy to have such a bad dream that it would give reason for Joe to want his father to cradle him as such.\u00a0 Something terrible must have happened, or Joe had been witness to something so awful as to transmit fear to his young heart and cause him to suffer such a horrid dream, his father reasoned.\u00a0 Ben tightened his hold about the shivering body and Joe allowed himself the pleasure that his father\u2019s care offered him, until at last, he pulled back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m okay now, Pa,\u201d said Joe, somewhat shyly as he glanced up at his father.\u00a0 In his parent\u2019s eyes, Joe could see the worry that Ben tried so hard to hide from him.<\/p>\n Joe, aware of the burning aching feelings coursing through his backside, laid back against his pillow, masking his own painful expression from this man whom he loved with all of his heart, and offered his father a tiny small.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to wake you, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe apologized.<\/p>\n Ben brushed back the curls that had glued themselves to Joe\u2019s sweat dampened brow and returned the smile.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right son.\u00a0 Are you sure you\u2019re going to be okay now?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head, and trying hard not to flinch, snuggled down deeper into the bed as Ben pulled the blankets about him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, honest.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben leaned down and brushed his fingers through Joe\u2019s thick mane, stopping for a long moment to study the expression on his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 Something wasn\u2019t right, of that Ben was sure, but reasoned that now was not the time to pursue his doubts.<\/p>\n \u201cAll right Joseph, if you\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure Pa.\u00a0 You go back to bed, I\u2019ll be all right,\u201d Joe returned and then turned his head, shutting his eyes so that his father might not see the new pool of tears that had unexpectedly threatened to spill over.<\/p>\n Joe felt his father move away from him and when the light began to grow dim within the room, Joe opened his eyes and saw his father pause at the door long enough to look back at him one last time, slip from the room closing the door behind him.\u00a0 Joe let out a long sigh; he had come so close to confessing to this father what had happened to him and to his friend, Cal.\u00a0 Once Joe had felt his father\u2019s arms embrace him, it was all that Joe could do to keep from crying out his anguish to his parent.<\/p>\n By the time that Joe reached the breakfast table, his nightmare from the night before had been forgotten.\u00a0 The pain in the lower half of his body though, was a constant reminder of what had transpired the day before.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Adam and Hoss?\u201d he questioned his father who sat alone at the family table.<\/p>\n Ben swallowed the sip of hot coffee he had just taken and carefully replace the china cup to its saucer, smiling at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cThey finished breakfast a little while ago and set out for that fencing job you were supposed to have finished yesterday,\u201d Ben said, giving his youngest son a sideways glance.<\/p>\n Joe quickly dropped his head, avoiding the dark eyes that scrutinized his face.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry Pa, really.\u00a0 I forgot all about it,\u201d stated Joe as he reached for the platter of scrambled eggs and began filling his plate.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll hurry out there and help them, as soon as I finish eating,\u201d muttered the boy, turning at last to look at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cIs there something wrong son?\u00a0 Something you need to talk to me about?\u201d asked Ben, unexpectedly.<\/p>\n Joe, who had turned his attention to his breakfast, pivoted his head around to face his father, surprised at the question he had just been asked.\u00a0 Swallowing what was in his mouth, and hoping that his expression was of the neutral state of mind, Joe offered his father a tiny smile.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d he gulped, \u201cwhy would you think that something was wrong?\u201d\u00a0 Joe instantly bit his tongue, angry with himself for asking something that would open the topic to discussion.\u00a0 Quickly, Joe returned to his breakfast that was just as quickly getting cold.<\/p>\n Ben studied the anxious expression on the boy\u2019s young face, aware that Joe was holding something back from him, but not sure how to approach the subject.\u00a0 He raised his coffee cup to his lips and took a sip, his eyes never leaving Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Joe began to squirm, he hated it when his father\u2019s eyes locked onto his face; the act always made him feel uncomfortable for he knew his father was reading him.\u00a0 Joe glanced at Ben, and when he saw the look that his father held in his dark compassionate eyes, it was all that the young boy could do to keep from flinging himself at his father and cry out his misery.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I just thought that perhaps you had something on your mind.\u00a0 You seem\u2026well\u2026distracted,\u201d Ben said at long last.<\/p>\n Joe dropped his head and shook it back and forth.\u00a0 \u201cNo, there\u2019s nothing,\u201d he lied and then glanced again at his father to check Ben\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n Ben sighed.\u00a0 Joe heard the expulation of air from his father\u2019s lungs and dropped his head a second time.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know that anytime you want\u2026or need\u2026to talk to me, I\u2019m always ready to listen to anything you have to say.\u201d\u00a0 Ben placed his hand over Joe\u2019s arm and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cFinish your breakfast, son.\u00a0 Your brothers need your help with that fence.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe took that as his cue to escape the probing eyes and questions that his father rendered and quickly wiped his mouth, pulling back his chair and rising from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll ride on out there now.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe said nothing more, but moved quickly to slip on his jacket, grabbed his hat and practically ran from the house.\u00a0 Once outside, Joe took a deep breath of fresh morning air and slowly let the wind free from his lungs.\u00a0 Giving a glance over his shoulder toward the house, Joe moved on to the barn where he saddled his horse and led the animal from the stall.\u00a0 With care, Joe slipped his foot into the stirrup and mounted, being sure to lower his bottom slowly into his saddle.\u00a0 Joe nudged the sides of his horse and soon joined his brothers in the lower pasture where they were fast at work repairing the fence that had been assigned to him.<\/p>\n Adam glanced up from his work to watch as Joe dismounted and joined them.\u00a0 \u201cAbout time you got here,\u201d he smirked, an angry tone to his deep voice.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d\u00a0 It was all that Joe could think of to say, what was he supposed to tell his brother?\u00a0 Joe quickly took the bucket of nails and the hammer from his older sibling and began pounding away at the slats of wood being held in place by Hoss.<\/p>\n Adam moved out of Joe\u2019s way, gave a questioning glance at his middle brother before moving to the wagon to unload more boards.<\/p>\n It was later in the morning, just before noon that Hoss began noticing that Joe had begun to slow down on his hammering.<\/p>\n \u2018Drivin\u2019 himself into exhaustion,\u2019 thought Hoss to himself as he watched the sweat bead and then roll off his younger brother\u2019s brow.\u00a0 Hoss wondered at the force that drove the boy to work with such fury.<\/p>\n \u201cYou feelin\u2019 all right, Short Shanks?\u201d asked Hoss softly.<\/p>\n Joe stopped his hammering and turned toward Hoss, surprising the big man with the testy glare on his young face.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy does everyone keep asking me that?\u00a0 I\u2019m fine, I\u2019ve already told all of you that I am.\u00a0 Now don\u2019t ask me again!\u201d he all but shouted, returning with new vigor, to his job of hammering nails.<\/p>\n Hoss stared in shock at his brother\u2019s outburst and then cut his eyes over at Adam who had stopped what he was doing to listen to the disturbance.\u00a0 He raised his dark brows at Hoss, silently wondering what had caused Joe to be so put out by their brother\u2019s question.<\/p>\n Minutes later, Joe tossed the hammer to the ground and straightened his back.\u00a0 His hands gently rubbed at his tender flesh that seemed to be ablaze after the coarse material of his trousers constant brushing against the fiery soreness.<\/p>\n \u201cDadburnit Little Joe, why\u2019d ya go and do that?\u00a0 Now lookit what ya made me do!\u201d groaned Hoss whose hands had slipped from the boards that he had been trying to hold in place.<\/p>\n Joe turned angry eyes up at Hoss, and shouted, \u201cIt ain\u2019t my fault, ya should\u2019ve held on to them!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was aholdin\u2019 to\u2019em, but you let go of your end and made me drop them!\u201d the bigger brother continued to fuss.<\/p>\n \u201cWell too bad!\u201d stormed Little Joe, angrily turning toward his horse.<\/p>\n \u201cHey!\u201d Adam shouted, rushing to grab Joe by the arm, thus stopping the boy from mounting his horse and riding off.<\/p>\n \u201cLet go of me!\u201d yelled Joe as he tried to pull his arm free of Adam\u2019s tight grasp.\u00a0 His brother\u2019s sudden advance had startled him and panic had wrapped its fingers around his rapidly beating heart just as tightly as Adam\u2019s fingers tightened around his arm.<\/p>\n Adam, having had enough of Joe\u2019s bad mood, jerked the boy around to face him taking hold of his brother\u2019s other arm with his free hand.\u00a0 He could see the angry fire that burned in Joe\u2019s hazel eyes but did not let that stop him from yelling back at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYou be still, boy.\u00a0 Just where in blazes do you think you are going?\u00a0 You haven\u2019t finished this job yet!\u201d Adam roared as he nodded at the unfinished fence.<\/p>\n Joe continued to pull at his arms but was unable to free himself.\u00a0 He was fighting not only the tears that threatened to spill forth, but with the constant movement of his body, new pain had awakened the discomfort his backside was suffering.\u00a0 Joe had checked earlier that morning and the bruising had gotten worse and to further his dismay, the blisters had bubbled up and even now, Joe could feel the wetness from those that had already popped.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m goin\u2019 home, that is, if you will let go of me!\u201d Joe said, his voice deep with unleashed emotion.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are not!\u00a0 You are going to stay right here until we are finished.\u00a0 Now get back to work!\u201d growled Adam, giving Joe a gentle shove back toward the fence where Joe had left his hammer.<\/p>\n Adam stooped to retrieve the tool and held it out in front of his brother.\u00a0 \u201cNow get to work,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n Joe stood frozen to the spot, refusing to take the hammer from Adam\u2019s outstretched hand.<\/p>\n \u201cDo as I say, Joe\u2026or pay the consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes darted upward to look into the angry face of his older brother, fear suddenly replacing his own anger that had moments ago threatened to boil over.\u00a0 Seeing that Adam meant business, and fearing what his brother might do if he refused, Joe grabbed the hammer from Adam\u2019s hand and slowly went back to work.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s better,\u201d muttered Adam, turning to Hoss who had been busy picking up the boards that he had dropped.<\/p>\n Joe worked the rest of the morning without uttering a word to either of his brothers.\u00a0 His mind was on Cal, and Joe wondered how his friend was feeling.\u00a0 It made his stomach do flips when he thought about the whipping that his friend\u2019s father had given to both of them. His musings made him question the fact that Cal\u2019s uncle had not even made a move to stop or prevent his older brother from giving the beating to either he or Cal.\u00a0 Mr. Grant had not even given them time to defend themselves, they had done nothing wrong that they knew of, yet the older man had not taken the time to explain to them why he seemed to think that they deserved to be spanked.\u00a0 It bothered Joe, for he was slowly beginning to understand that Chester Grant did not really need a reason to whip his son, or his son\u2019s friend, it was something within the man himself that drove him to such extremes.\u00a0 Joe shivered; unaware that he had stopped working and was lost in reflections.<\/p>\n \u201cWe might as well break for lunch Hoss, Little Brother here is determined that we not finish until afterwards,\u201d glared Adam, giving a disgusted look at Joe, who suddenly snapped from his pondering.<\/p>\n \u201cAw, knock it off Adam, cain\u2019t ya see that the boy\u2019s troublin\u2019 about somethin\u2019?\u201d retorted Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he needs to get his mind on his business\u2026if you will recall, Pa gave this job to him, and here we are once again, picking up his slack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve a good mind to tan his hide for goofing off\u2026again,\u201d Adam bark in response.<\/p>\n Joe snapped to attention, his eyes that were suddenly wide with fright stopped Adam\u2019s advance towards him.\u00a0 His hazel eyes instantly filled with tears and Joe took a couple of steps backward, distancing himself from his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you dare touch me!\u201d Joe yelled out, as panic caused his body to tremble.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n The tears slipped silently down his young face.\u00a0 Hoss stood beside of Adam; both boys staring opened mouth at their brother\u2019s unexpected change in behavior.<\/p>\n \u201cHey Joe, Adam\u2019s not goin\u2019 to touch ya.\u00a0 Calm down boy,\u201d Hoss muttered in a soft voice.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah Joe, I wasn\u2019t really going to thrash you,\u201d added Adam as he took another step in Joe\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s next move both surprised and startled Adam and Hoss, for in that instant, Joe bolted toward his horse and giving no thoughts to the pain it would cause, jumped into his saddle and rode away at a gallop.<\/p>\n \u201cWell what in thunder do ya reckon that was all about?\u201d stammered Hoss, placing his huge hands on both sides of his hips as he watched Joe ride away.<\/p>\n Adam shook his head in amazement.\u00a0 \u201cI have no idea, Hoss.\u00a0 Only the kid can answer that.\u00a0 I sure didn\u2019t mean to frighten him like that though, I wonder what scared him off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike I said big brother, somethin\u2019s eatin\u2019 at him, has been too since he got home last night.\u00a0 Reckon it has somethin’ to do with that handprint he was sportin\u2019, the one Pa didn\u2019t question him about?\u201d Hoss questioned.<\/p>\n \u201cCould be, I\u2019d better go have a talk with Pa as soon as we finish here.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned back to his work and with Hoss\u2019 help soon had the last of the fence repaired.<\/p>\n Joe rode for what seemed like hours to him, but in fact had only been a couple.\u00a0 Not having paid any attention which direction he had taken, Joe was surprised when he reined in his mount and found himself a short distance from the Grant ranch.\u00a0 From where he sat on his horse, Joe could plainly see his friend\u2019s house and barn and Joe secretly hoped to catch Cal alone so that he could talk to his friend.\u00a0 There were so many unanswered questions that his troubled mind needed answers too, that the necessity to speak with his friend, outweighed his fear of getting caught by Mr. Grant.<\/p>\n Joe eased off of his horse and slipped the reins over a branch.\u00a0 As Joe carefully made his way toward the house, the front door suddenly opened, drawing his attention in that direction.<\/p>\n Chester was yanking and pulling Cal by the arm as he forced the boy out through the opened door.\u00a0 Cal grabbed hold of the door facing, preventing his father from driving him onto the porch.\u00a0 Chester began ranting and raving at his son and took the boy by surprise when he raised his fist and struck Cal across the face.\u00a0 Cal staggered backward into the house out of Joe\u2019s range of sight. Chester followed his son back inside and slammed the door shut.<\/p>\n From where he stood, hidden by the bushes, Joe could hear his friend inside the house, screaming and crying in a loud voice that bordered on hysteria.\u00a0 Joe glanced around to be sure that Chester\u2019s brother was no where nearby and then ran quietly up to the porch where he peeked through the window.\u00a0 What he saw make him sick to his stomach and he feared that he would not be able to keep the foul tasting bile that had suddenly rose to his mouth, from spilling over.<\/p>\n Chester stood over his son who lay in a ball at his feet.\u00a0 Grasped tightly in his hand, Chester held a thick leather strap that he was using to strike his son with.\u00a0 Cal was jerking and twisting his body around in a futile attempt to avoid being struck, but was having no luck.\u00a0 Time and time again the leather snapped and tore at his flesh, leaving bright red welts on his bare arms and chest that could be seen from the window where Joe watched in horror.\u00a0 Cal screamed out for mercy, but his pleas fell on deaf ears and only seemed to add fuel to Chester\u2019s frenetic temper.\u00a0 Joe was on the verge of bursting into the house to give aide to the abused boy when a deep voice from behind stopped him in his tracks.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019ca doin\u2019 here boy?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe spun around, startled by the hand that grasped his shoulder in a vice like grip.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I\u2026I\u2026was\u2026\u201d Joe stammered as Dave glared down at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to kill him\u2026\u201d Joe muttered and pointed to the window.<\/p>\n Dave, his hand still holding tightly to Joe\u2019s trembling shoulder, bent slightly and peered through the window and for a moment, watched what was happening inside the house.<\/p>\n Dave turned his attention back to Joe and studied the youth\u2019s frightened face.\u00a0 \u201cPlease,\u201d begged Joe, \u201cyou gotta help him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cListen well kid, you best be agettin\u2019 out of here.\u00a0 Chester said he\u2019d kill you if he found you snooping around here, and he will too.\u201d<\/p>\n Dave tightened his fingers giving Joe reason to flinch.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you breathe a word of this to anyone\u2026if you do both Cal and I will have hell to pay, you understand me?\u00a0 And don\u2019t you never come back here again!\u201d whispered Dave, a look of fear spreading across his face.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t, I promise\u2026I mean\u2026I won\u2019t tell\u2026and I won\u2019t come back\u2026honest,\u201d stammered Joe.\u00a0 \u201cBut you gotta stop him\u2026before\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do it\u2026I can\u2019t, don\u2019t you understand what I\u2019m saying?\u00a0 Chester will beat me too, if\u2019n I get in his way, now get outta here!\u201d<\/p>\n Dave released his hold on Joe\u2019s arm and shoved Joe off the porch.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afeared of him,\u201d Dave cried, surprising Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll use that strap on my back, like he useda afore Cal came along.\u201d\u00a0 Dave dropped his head and covered his face with his hands.\u00a0 Joe could hear the man\u2019s loud sobs and for a brief moment, felt a pang of pity for the man.<\/p>\n \u201cGO!\u201d whispered Dave, raising his head and seeing Joe still standing in the same spot.<\/p>\n Joe walked backward from the house, stunned at Dave\u2019s confession and at the way in which the grown man cowed in fear of his brother.\u00a0 From inside the house, the wailing had stopped and just as Joe slipped behind the bushes, the door opened and Chester walked out onto the porch.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you bawling about, you idiot!\u00a0 Get inside,\u201d grumbled Chester as he pushed Dave inside and then turned to survey the yard to be sure they were alone.<\/p>\n Little Joe stood trembling in fear, afraid to move from the spot where he seemed rooted.\u00a0 After several minutes of deep breathing, Joe regained his senses and quickly jump mounted his horse, the pain in his body replaced with a new kind of fear, and a new kind of dread.<\/p>\n It was nearly dark by the time that Joe had stabled his horse and as he walked slowly toward the house, his mind was busy conjuring up an excuse he would need to offer to his father for being late, again.\u00a0 Knowing that his older brother had already alerted his father to the fact that he had left his assigned chore for his brothers to finish, Joe dreaded facing his father\u2019s wrath, for he was sure that Ben would be angry with him.<\/p>\n The minute he opened the front door, his suspicions were realized.\u00a0 Ben stood waiting, hands firmly planted on his hips, legs slightly parted, and an angry scowl on his face.\u00a0 Joe gulped and quickly hung his hat on the peg behind the door, pausing to take a deep breath before turning to face his father.<\/p>\n \u201cI can explain\u2026\u201d started Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI just bet you can young man.\u00a0 Do you realize how late it is?\u00a0 I have been worried sick about you, we all have,\u201d stated Ben.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes scanned the room; Adam was seated at the end of the table and had turned to watch his younger brother\u2019s entrance.\u00a0 Hoss stood with hands shoved into his pockets, in front of the massive fireplace, his head hung low as he peered from beneath lowered lashes at Joe who looked as if he had been caught with his hand in Hop Sing\u2019s cookie jar.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I lost track of time\u2026I\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026honest,\u201d Joe stammered, a strange sense of fear beginning to cause his stomach to hurt.<\/p>\n Instinctively, Joe placed his arm across the front of his tummy in hopes of squelching the nausea that caused his stomach to rumble.\u00a0 He could do nothing to stop the groan that slipped passed his lips as his stomach reacted to his fear.\u00a0 Joe glanced up at Ben, noting the way in which his father studied his face.\u00a0 Joe felt himself shiver and when Ben reached out his hand to place it on his son\u2019s shoulder, Joe lost contact with the present world and drew back; the fear of being struck his first thought.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben said, his voice suddenly soft, with a ring of worry added to it.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t hit me!\u00a0 I didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019,\u201d Joe suddenly cried, tears filling his eyes as he withdrew another step. Joe held both arms and hands up, placing them between himself and his father.\u00a0 His eyes were dark, and they darted about the room, seeking an escape from the man whom Joe believed was about to strike him.<\/p>\n By this time, both Adam and Hoss had moved to stand slightly behind their father, concern for what appeared to be happening showing on their faces.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I\u2019m not going to hit you son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s voice had dropped an octave and was suddenly filled with love and compassion.\u00a0 He quickly glanced at Adam and then Hoss, turning his attention back to Joe who had moved far enough back from Ben that his back was pressed against the front door.<\/p>\n Adam took a step closer to his father and whisper softly into his ear.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s almost the same thing he said to me, earlier.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben cut his dark eyes around to face Adam, \u201cDid you strike the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not, Pa,\u201d Adam defended himself.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, come here, please,\u201d Ben asked, taking a small step nearer to Joe who had his face turned away from his father.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s heart beat rapidly in fear of what had changed his usually vibrant son into the whimpering little boy who refused to look at him.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s throat was thick with emotion as he centered in on his son.\u00a0 When Ben was close enough to place his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder, he was stunned when Joe covered his face and began crying hysterically and dropped to the floor, his hands moving to protect his head as he lay in a fetal position at his father\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s eyes filled with tears as he stooped down to take the weeping boy into his arms.\u00a0 As he slipped his arms about Joe, Joe began fraying his arms, knocking his father\u2019s arms away so that Ben could not touch him.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s heart broke into a million pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2026Joseph,\u201d Ben repeated over and over in a gentle, soft voice.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t hit me\u2026please don\u2019t\u2026it hurts\u2026it hurts\u2026PA!\u00a0 Help me!\u201d screamed Joe jumping to his feet.<\/p>\n Joe tried to dart passed his father but Ben\u2019s outstretched arms prevented him from doing so.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s arms closed tightly around his son holding Joe close to his heart.\u00a0 At first Joe fought to free himself, but with Ben\u2019s soft words and gentle touch, Joe\u2019s struggle soon ended.\u00a0 Joe buried his face into the soft leather of his father\u2019s vest as Ben scooped the weakened boy up into his arms and carried him upstairs to his room, Adam and Hoss following closely behind.<\/p>\n Ben lowered the sobbing boy to the bed but Joe refused to relinquish his grasp he held on his father.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to kill him\u2026ya gotta stop him\u2026please Pa, make him stop!\u201d whimpered Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cWho son?\u00a0 Who\u2019s going to kill someone?\u201d Ben asked, believing that Joe had yet to return to the real world.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp me get these clothes off of him, Adam,\u201d Ben instructed as he gently laid Joe\u2019s head back against the soft pillows.<\/p>\n Adam hurried to do his father\u2019s bidding, beginning with his brother\u2019s boots and then loosening his brother\u2019s belt, tugged gently at Joe\u2019s trousers.\u00a0 Joe tossed his head about on the pillow and pressed his lips firmly together, smothering the scream that tried to escape from deep within.<\/p>\n \u201cOH!\u00a0 Please\u2026it hurts\u2026it hurts\u2026\u201d Joe pulled away from Ben\u2019s protecting embrace as he thrashed from side to side trying to remove himself from the pain that stung his backside.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat hurts son, what are you talking about?\u201d\u00a0 Ben had become fearful for his son\u2019s state of mind and he turned to Hoss and nearly shouted at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, go for the doctor\u2026\u201d began Ben but stopped as the sound of Adam\u2019s voice reached his ears.<\/p>\n \u201cGood God Almighty, will you look at this, Pa?\u201d Adam yelled in a deep voice.<\/p>\n He had forced Joe onto his side and the bruises and blisters that branded Joe\u2019s buttocks were in plain view to all three older Cartwrights.\u00a0 No one spoke; they were too stunned by what they were seeing.\u00a0 Their minds refused to accept what their eyes were telling them.\u00a0 The sight of the blackened flesh that marred the youngest Cartwright made them all sick to their stomachs.<\/p>\n Hoss gagged; tears billowed within the depths of his blue eyes, and Adam clinched both fists together so tightly that his knuckles turned white.\u00a0 His jaw twitched in unspoken anger and silently he vowed revenge on the person or persons who had done this to his little buddy.<\/p>\n Ben found his voice, his fingers gently touched the spoiled flesh and he heard Joe wince softly and turned to see his son\u2019s eyes on his face.\u00a0 The tears rolled onto the white pillowcase and left tiny circles of dampness next to where Joe\u2019s head rested.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s temper was smoldering and like his oldest son, he had to clinch his jaw to keep from venting his rage.\u00a0 How dare someone do this to one of his sons.\u00a0 His thoughts were interrupted when he felt the touch of Joe\u2019s hand on his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026please\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSon, who did this to you?\u201d Ben questioned, in a calm voice that belied the turmoil he really felt.\u00a0 \u201cWho was it Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss, who had not left to fetch the doctor yet, had moved to glance over Adam\u2019s shoulder to get a better view of what had caused his father\u2019s anger.\u00a0 Hoss felt the same anger boiling within him self and as he placed his large beefy hand on Ben\u2019s shoulder he could feel the tremors that washed over his father.<\/p>\n \u201cTell us who did this to ya, young\u2019on, and I\u2019ll see that they never do it to you or anyone else again,\u201d promised Hoss.<\/p>\n Joe grabbed his father\u2019s hand and shook his head back and forth.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t\u2026I can\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to son\u2026I want to know\u2026who did this to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s tears continued to flow, his feeling of despair showing on his young face, fear clouded his logical thinking and he felt torn between wanting to protect his friend and helping his friend escape the abuse that he knew Cal was being forced to suffer.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u2026please\u2026I can\u2019t tell you\u2026please don\u2019t make me,\u201d wept Joe.<\/p>\n Ben took a deep breath and when Adam handed him Joe\u2019s nightshirt, he slipped it gently over the boy\u2019s head, giving Joe time to cover himself.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, go for the doctor, please, Joe needs something for this pain and to calm him down,\u201d Ben ordered.<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir,\u201d replied Hoss as he turned toward the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Hoss, bring Roy Coffey back with you,\u201d added Ben and then glanced up at the big man.\u00a0 Hoss acknowledged his father by nodding his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, find Hop Sing and see if has any salve or ointment for these blisters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right back,\u201d said Adam as he slipped out of the room.<\/p>\n Ben turned his attention back to his youngest son.\u00a0 Joe had turned his head, trying desperately to hide his fear from his father.\u00a0 Ben gently placed his hands on either side of the boy\u2019s face and carefully cupped the trembling chin.<\/p>\n \u201cLook at me son,\u201d Ben began softly.\u00a0 \u201cI know something has been tearing you up inside for days now.\u00a0 It might help if we talked about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can, Pa\u2026I\u2019m\u2026scared,\u201d Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be afraid.\u00a0 I promise Joe, no one will ever do this to you again, ever.\u00a0 You still trust me, don\u2019t you son?\u201d encouraged Ben with a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t understand Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t understand Joseph, why don\u2019t you try to explain it to me?\u00a0 You said something about someone killing someone\u2026who are you afraid of, son?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe studied his father\u2019s face, he saw the love and understanding that shone in the chocolate eyes that held such compassion and Joe\u2019s resolve shattered into a zillion pieces.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Pa,\u201d cried Joe as he raised up, ignoring the discomfort his body suffered, and flung himself into Ben\u2019s waiting arms.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted to tell you, but I was so afraid, not for just me, but for Cal, too.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben held Joe against his breast and allowed Joe to continue with his confession.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Grant whipped us, with a thick wooden paddle, yesterday\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChester Grant?\u201d stammered Ben in shock.\u00a0 He had always liked the man, he had no idea that the man might have a dark side and could do anything such as Joe was claiming; yet he believed his son.<\/p>\n \u201cYes sir, both of us, me and Cal\u2026and Pa\u2026we didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019, honest\u2026we were just in the barn.\u00a0 I helped Cal finish his chores so that we could go fishing, we were suppose to go today.\u00a0 We were just talking when Mr. Grant and his brother, Dave, came into the barn.\u00a0 Mr. Grant was mad\u2026madder than anyone I\u2019d ever seen before.\u00a0 And he was shouting and yelling at us\u2026he can shout louder than you Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ben hid his smile from his son.\u00a0 \u201cWhat else, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we tried to tell him that we didn\u2019t do nuthin\u2019, but he wouldn\u2019t listen.\u00a0 He slapped Cal across the face and then grabbed that board with the holes in it and threw Cal across his lap and began beating him with it.\u00a0 I tried to get away, but Dave grabbed me and then Mr. Grant made Dave tie my hands behind my back\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHE WHAT?\u201d yelled Ben, moving Joe\u2019s head so that he could see his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes filled with tears once again and Ben softened his voice.\u00a0 \u201cNo wonder you were so out of sorts\u2026what else?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter Mr. Grant finished with Cal, he turned on me\u2026\u201d Joe sniffed his nose; Ben could feel Joe\u2019s body shiver as Joe returned his head to his father\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2026beat me\u2026and then told me to get out and to never come back.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was silent for several minutes.\u00a0 Ben could not find words to express himself right away.\u00a0 His heart thumped loudly and rapidly within the walls of his chest and he had to swallow several times to maintain control of both his anger at Chester Grant and his sorrow for what his son had been made to endure.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Joseph?\u201d whispered Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not the first time that Mr. Grant has beaten Cal.\u00a0 He\u2019s done it before, I\u2019ve seen the bruises and the black eyes\u2026but Cal made me promise not to tell anyone, especially you.\u00a0 He said that if anyone found out about his father, Mr. Grant would kill him.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry Pa\u2026I guess I was wrong, not to tell I mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raised Joe\u2019s head, \u201cYes son, you were.\u00a0 But I understand why you thought you couldn\u2019t tell.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure that if it had been me, I might not have told either.\u201d\u00a0 Ben cupped Joe\u2019s chin, bringing his head closer and placed a kiss on Joe\u2019s brow.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not all Pa\u2026there\u2019s more,\u201d muttered Joe, facing his father.\u00a0 He knew the truth had to come out, if for no other reason, because Joe felt sure that his father would do something to help Cal.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d prodded Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, after I ran off from Hoss and Adam\u2026I went to the Grant ranch.\u00a0 I was hoping to get a chance to talk to Cal, but before I could\u2026Mr. Grant came out.\u00a0 He was trying to drag Cal out with him but Cal was fighting him and then Mr. Grant hit him in the face with his fist.\u00a0 Cal fell back into the house and when old man Grant shut the door, I ran up on the porch and peeked in the window.\u00a0 He was hitting Cal with a leather strap, Pa\u2026it was awful\u2026he hit him again and again and again.\u00a0 Cal was crying and begging his Pa to stop, but Chester acted like he could not even hear him and he kept on hitting him and then he kicked him.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stopped to take a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought about going in to and helping Cal but I was too scared.\u00a0 I had just about decided to go ahead and do it when Dave caught me on the porch.\u00a0 I was so scared\u2026I thought he was going to hit me\u2026or worse, take me inside to Mr. Grant and let him beat me again.\u00a0 I begged him to stop Cal\u2019s father\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd did he?\u00a0 Did he help the boy?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, he said he couldn\u2019t\u2026but really he wouldn\u2019t Pa.\u00a0 Know why?\u201d said Joe, moving into a more comfortable position.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t he?\u201d Ben moved from the side of the bed to the chair next to the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe told me that Mr. Grant used to beat him when he was young, just like he beats Cal now.\u00a0 Why Pa\u2026why would a man beat his own son and brother like that?\u00a0 What\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d sniffed Joe.<\/p>\n Ben sighed and stood to his feet, stretching the tension free from his back before sitting back down on the bed.\u00a0 Ben took Joe\u2019s hand into his own.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t say for sure, son.\u00a0 Some men are just plain ole mean like that.\u00a0 But others\u2026well it\u2019s like a sickness.\u00a0 They really don\u2019t mean to hurt their loved one like that\u2026they just can\u2019t help themselves.\u00a0 It\u2019s something that they can\u2019t control\u2026I really don\u2019t know what causes a man to be so abusive like Chester, the doctors don\u2019t understand it either.\u00a0 Most people think that an abusive person is just bad, mean\u2026and that they are fully aware of what they are doing.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know I can\u2019t be sure of how I really feel about people like that.\u00a0 What I am sure about is how sorry I am that it happened to Cal\u2026and to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry too Pa, for not telling you sooner.\u00a0 But now what will happen?\u00a0 Will Mr. Grant have to go to jail?\u00a0 And what about Cal?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShh\u2026Joe, don\u2019t worry about that right now.\u00a0 You need to try to get some rest, I\u2019ll talk to Roy when he gets here and I\u2019ll make sure that Cal will be okay.\u00a0 Now, here\u2019s Hop Sing, let him see about these blisters,\u201d smiled Ben as he stood to his feet to make room for the little Chinaman.<\/p>\n Later, after Paul Martin had tended to Joe\u2019s wounds, and Joe lay sleeping peacefully, Ben met with the physician and the sheriff downstairs in the great room.\u00a0 Roy warmed his hands over the fire and the physician sipped a brandy while he relaxed in Ben\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you telling me that Chester Grant nearly killed his own son?\u201d asked Ben, who still could not believe his ears.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right Ben, the man all but beat the boy to death.\u00a0 Grant\u2019s brother came riding into town tonight with the lad.\u00a0 The boy was unconscious.\u00a0 He had some busted ribs, his face was black and blue, but then so was the rest of him\u2026and that wasn\u2019t all, his arm was broken.\u00a0 Dave said that Chester had just gone crazy and when he tried to stop his brother, Chester turned on him and started to beat him.\u00a0 Somehow they got to fighting and when the old man pulled a gun out and pointed it at Dave, Cal made a dive at his father, and when the gun was dropped, Dave grabbed it.\u00a0 He said he yelled at Chester, who had started beating on Cal again, that\u2019s when the boy\u2019s arm got busted up.\u00a0 As I was saying, Chester threw a butcher knife at him and when Dave tried to duck, the gun went off, killing Chester,\u201d Roy explained to the small group of men.<\/p>\n \u201cWell I\u2019ll be,\u201d muttered Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat will happen to Dave?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/p>\n \u201cNothing, it was an accident, and besides, he was only trying to protect himself and his nephew,\u201d Roy explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about Cal?\u00a0 Where will he go, now that his father is dead?\u201d Ben wanted to know.<\/p>\n Roy smiled for the first time that evening.\u00a0 \u201cWell Ben, when the boy gets well, he won\u2019t be going any place.\u00a0 He and his uncle are going to stay right here and keep the ranch going.\u00a0 Seems like Dave isn\u2019t such a bad person after all, he was just abused, like Cal and he was afraid of Chester.\u00a0 He loves his nephew and wants to keep the boy with him, if the courts will let him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think they will agree?\u201d Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cI mean, there\u2019s no reason for them not too, is there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would think they would agree, but you have to remember, Dave has known for a very long time that his brother was abusing Cal\u2026he should have reported it to the authorities.\u00a0 He could be held responsible for not doing so.\u00a0 By his silence, he put the boy in grave danger, the court might frown on that,\u201d the sheriff told them.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I might be able to explain to them why Dave was afraid to speak up, should it end up in court,\u201d smiled the physician.\u00a0 \u201cAll we have to do is to show them the bruises and the scars that Dave has, and let\u2019s remember that Dave almost got himself killed protecting the boy, in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd,\u201d started Roy, \u201c when Cal came to, he told Paul and I that Dave had always taken care of him.\u00a0 After his father would beat him, there were times that old man Grant would lock the boy in his room or in a closet.\u00a0 Cal said that Dave would always wait until his brother would go to sleep and then sneak into Cal and tend his wounds.\u00a0 So, I think with the boy telling the judge his side of the story and what we have to say, Dave and Cal have a good chance to live a normal life, right here in Virginia City.\u201d<\/p>\n All five men exchanged smiles.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s great, and we can all speak up in behalf of Dave,\u201d added Hoss with a bright smile.<\/p>\n A week later, Ben stood before the judge.\u00a0 Adam, Hoss, Paul Martin and the sheriff stood with him and each man gave the judge his thoughts as to what kind of father Dave would be for Cal.\u00a0 Cal and Joe sat behind the line of men and waited, with baited breath, for the judge\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n After much deliberation, the judge ruled Dave Grant a fitting father and granted him full and legal custody of his nephew.\u00a0 Cal whooped for joy, flinging himself into his uncle\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you Mr. Cartwright, Adam, Hoss, for everything,\u201d beamed Dave, his arm slung across his nephew\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI can promise you, I will be the best father Virginia City has ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben glanced at Joe and saw that his son was watching his every move.\u00a0 Suddenly, Joe moved to the door and without a word to anyone, slipped outside.\u00a0 Ben, anxious, followed the boy out into the bright sunshine.\u00a0 Joe was standing with his back to his father, his face pressed against the side of his saddle.\u00a0 Ben placed both of his hands on the slim shoulders and Joe turned to look into his father\u2019s eyes, smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it Joe?\u00a0 What are you having trouble saying?\u201d quizzed Ben softly, so that those passing on the street could not overhear them.<\/p>\n Joe blinked away his tears and smiled up at his father.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t care what anyone else thinks, I know I have the best father in the whole wide world.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben pulled Joe into an embrace and held him for several long moments before releasing him.\u00a0 \u201cThank you son, just hearing you say it, means more to me than you will ever know.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Joe could tell his father what he really wanted him to know, the others had come outside and now stood in a circle around them.\u00a0 Ben glanced down at his youngest son, saw the pride and happiness that emitted from his shining eyes, and knew without having to ask, what Joe was feeling deep down inside.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you too,\u201d mouthed Ben when he was sure that no one would see, and then smiled when he saw that Joe had understood his words.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face broke into a wide, happy smile as he turned to swing himself up into his saddle and then glanced back at his father.\u00a0 Ben had turned his attention to the others, and Joe took that moment to brush at the tears that had filled his eyes.\u00a0 He was right, he thought as he watched Ben walk among the others; he did have the best father in the whole wide world.\u00a0 With those thoughts in his heart and mind, Joe\u2019s chest swelled in pride for the man who had given him life.<\/p>\n THE END <\/p>\n
\nDecember 2002<\/b><\/p>\n