{"id":12285,"date":"2004-09-01T14:21:48","date_gmt":"2004-09-01T18:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12285"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:09:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:09:26","slug":"price-of-friendship-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12285","title":{"rendered":"Price of Friendship (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 My version of what happened next after Joe destroyed his lifelong friendship with Mitch Devlin in, Between Heaven and Earth.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 <\/strong>G\u00a0\u00a0 (3,450 words)
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Price of Friendship<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both Ben and Hoss looked up from their supper when they heard the clicking of heels on the staircase. Hoss took a quick glance at his younger brother and then went back to his eating. He\u2019d about had is fill of Joe\u2019s bad moods and sharp tongue, and besides, reckoned Hoss, his head was still reeling from the last tongue lashing he\u2019d received out at the corral. Hoss didn\u2019t want to admit it, but his feelings were hurt too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben offered Joe a small smile as he watched his son walk slowly through the great room on his way to the table. He causally looked over at Hoss but it was evident that Hoss was trying to ignore his sibling, and Ben couldn\u2019t fault him, not really, not after the way Joe had been acting lately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe inhaled deeply; Hoss raised only his eyes to glance up at his brother and then looked down at his plate. Ben noticed that Hoss hadn\u2019t actually been eating, just toying with his food. Joe nodded his head at his father. He remained standing behind his chair, his knuckles white from gripping the back of his seat so tightly. It had been a trying day, what with the stress of failing to get his rifle from Eagle\u2019s Nest and then getting it only because his father had connived a way into forcing him to face his fears. Now he stood before his brother, sick to his stomach at the way he\u2019d been treating the big man, and wishing to God he had words to tell his brother how terribly sorry he was for acting like such a fool.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clearing his throat, Joe tried to speak, but it seemed that his words were lodged in the back of his throat and the words, when he managed to say them, were on a higher pitch than normal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben saw Hoss scrunch up his face and then suddenly stand and push back his chair, taking no notice of his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI got chores to do,\u201d he said as he wiped his mouth and looked over at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned to go without so much as a glance in his brother\u2019s direction. Joe felt like he\u2019d been slapped in the face, but he could not blame his brother for how he felt, after all, hadn\u2019t he, Joe Cartwright, been acting like a Jackass for the last week?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started after his brother, his tone now pleading.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss\u2026wait a minute,\u201d he said, taking hold of the powerful arm of his brother and stopping Hoss from going out the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss turned and glared at his brother. His look was dark and angry, so unlike his normal cheery countenance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed hard, he could see the hurt in Hoss\u2019 enormous blue eyes and he hated himself for being responsible for putting it there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hoss looked down at Joe\u2019s hand and knocked it away, Joe felt a rush of nausea wash over him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Hoss\u2026I know I\u2019ve been acting like a\u2026Jackass\u2026and I\u2019m sorry\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss twisted up his lips and shook his head in disgust.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, little brother, ya have\u2026and now ya think just sayin\u2019 I\u2019m sorry, fixes everythin\u2019, don\u2019t\u2019cha? Well, it don\u2019t\u2026ya\u2019ve said things that hurt people\u2026oh, not just me, but to Pa\u2026and don\u2019t forget your best friend\u2026I mean, your former best friend<\/em>, Mitch Devlin. Ya think sayin\u2019 ya sorry is goin\u2019 to make him feel any better\u2026after what ya\u2019ve done to\u2019em? Well, Joseph, I doubt it\u2026and it won\u2019t work with me either\u2026not this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss stormed from the house, leaving Joe standing alone and staring at the door that slammed in his face. The nausea rumbled in his gut and for a moment Joe thought he might get sick, but he swallowed it down. His brother\u2019s words stung, and hurt\u2026but then he glanced up at his father who had come to stand beside him and suddenly something from his past, that his father had once told him, came back to haunt him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018The truth always hurt, Little Joe\u2019, Ben had said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Something else rang the bells in his head and jarred another memory.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2018Words can hurt, Joseph. Once they flow from your mouth, it\u2019s too late to take them back. Be ever mindful of what you say to people, for you can destroy a man\u2019s dignity in himself, and respect for you, with a just a handful of harsh words that you don\u2019t really mean\u2019.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wasn\u2019t that what Mitch had told him? That he had destroyed the dignity his friend had held and the respect he\u2019d had, for so many years, in regard to his best friend?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A sob caught in Joe\u2019s throat as he turned to his father. His emerald eyes flooded with tears, his throat swelled with emotion as Joe fell into his father\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh Pa! What have I done?\u201d he cried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThere, there, son\u2026it will all work out, in time. Hoss won\u2019t stay mad at you for long, he never does and as for Mitch\u2026well\u2026time heals all wounds,\u201d Ben said as he comforted his son.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMitch! Pa\u2026he\u2019ll never speak to me again, don\u2019t you understand? I hurt him\u2026in the worst possible way, I took away his dignity, I lost his respect, I belittled him\u2026not just in words, but in actions, in front of a whole room full of our friends\u2026and I\u2026destroyed our friendship,\u201d Joe wept.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He pulled away from his father\u2019s embrace and swiped his hand over his damp face. Ben saw the desperate look in the hollows of his son\u2019s eyes; the trodden expression broke his heart for he knew that what Joe said was nothing short of the truth. He had heard what had happened the afternoon before in the saloon and he knew that it would take a mighty big man to forgive a friend, even a best friend, for the things Joe had done. Ben knew that in time, Hoss would forgive his brother; it was Hoss\u2019 nature to be kind to everyone and forgive them their misdeeds, especially when he loved someone as much as Hoss loved his youngest brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen I would suggest that you go see him. And try talking to your brother again, son. Sometimes, repentance comes hard,\u201d Ben suggested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and with Joe\u2019s head bent so low, Ben was forced to bend his even lower in order to look his son in the face. Slowly, Joe raised his head. The tears were gone but the sadness still remained in the lost expression that showed on the handsome face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I should, though it won\u2019t do much good\u2026he made that plain enough yesterday,\u201d Joe said sadly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He reached for his hat behind the door and plopped it down on his head. As he strapped on his sidearm, he looked over at his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI lost my best friend over a rifle and a $2 bet. Not much for the price of friendship, is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned and walked out the door, leaving his father to watch as he walked across the yard to the barn. A mental picture of a man making the last journey of his life flashed before Ben\u2019s eyes and he quickly brushed it away whispering a soft prayer that God would walk along side his son and give to Joe, the words needed to mend the broken relationships caused by his own weaknesses and lack of faith in himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was raking out the stall when Joe entered the barn. He knew without looking up that it was his brother, for the step was slow and cumbersome, as a man who carried the weight of a heavy burden on the girth of his shoulders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss set his jaw. He could sense the boy standing behind him, he picked up the smell of light sweat that seeped from the pores of a man\u2019s skin when the man was nervous, or\u2026afraid. Funny, thought Hoss, he\u2019d never thought of his little brother as being afraid.<\/p>\n

The two words troubled him, and when Joe called his name, he forgot about himself and his hurt feelings.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss raised his head slightly and turned to look Joe\u2019s way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Joe muttered, \u201chonest\u2026I\u2026\u201d Joe lowered his head, unable to say another word, for they were lodged in the back of his throat and he feared if he tried, he might break down and cry.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss immediately saw that Joe\u2019s chin quivered and when he looked his brother right in the eye, he instantly saw the telltale signs that the boy was about to lose what composure he had left. Simultaneously, his heart melted.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss set the rake against the wall of the stall and grinned in his boyish manner at his brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026shucks, Shortshanks\u2026I know ya didn\u2019t mean those things ya said. Ya was just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfraid,\u201d Joe said. \u201cI was just plain afraid and I guess\u2026ashamed of being so. I\u2026didn\u2019t want anyone to know, and I reckon I thought everyone did\u2026\u201d Joe moved closer to his brother and offered his hand. \u201cI apologize, Hoss\u2026please\u2026will ya\u2026forgive me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cForget it, kid,\u201d laughed Hoss as he took Joe\u2019s hand into his and pulled his brother into a bear hug. Joe slung his arm about his brother\u2019s massive shoulders. His laughter was a mixture of all the emotions that had built up inside of him over the last week, but the one he was most thankful for, was his brother\u2019s forgiveness, for it was hard earned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe let a long breath of air swish from his lungs as he dismounted and tied the reins around the hitching post outside of the Devlin home. Never before had he felt the way he did now coming to this place that was as familiar to him as his own home. He and Mitch had been childhood friends for as long as he could remember. Only once or twice in their long-term relationship, had the boys been at odds; and always before they had managed to work through their problems and remain friends. But this time, Joe feared he had over-stepped the boundaries that had fashioned he and Mitch into such a solid comradeship. He feared that just mere words could not repair the damage that had been done. And it had all been his own fault, deemed Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Joe could place one foot on the porch, Mitch appeared at the door. He stepped out on the porch and quickly closed the door behind him, as if he wanted no one to know who had come calling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe swallowed the bile that soured his mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Mitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe started to step up onto the porch, but Mitch blocked his path, halting Joe\u2019s attempt. He looked up into his friend\u2019s face and saw something there that he had never seen before. Mitch stared back at him with such hurt and disgust that Joe cringed inwardly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want, Joe?\u201d Mitch growled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe heard the catch in the other young man\u2019s voice and though his friend tried to hide it, Joe could hear the inner pain behind the harshly spoken words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to come over and talk to you,\u201d Joe explained. \u201cI wanted to tell you how\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch slammed his fist into the post and moved down onto the next step.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t even say, Joe! It means nothing, coming from you, just like our friendship meant nothing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong, Mitch\u2026our friendship means everything to me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLiar! That\u2019s what you are Little Joe\u2026a lair. I, just yesterday, realized what a true liar you really are. You\u2019ve lied about being my friend\u2026my very best friend all these years, haven\u2019t you? I\u2019ve never meant anything to you, have I? Oh, wait\u2026how much was it? Two dollars, isn\u2019t that all my friendship was worth to you\u2026a measly two dollars?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have everything; you always have. All you ever had to do was ask, and it was yours\u2026but I never let it bother me\u2026wanna know why, Joe?\u201d Mitch asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe felt about two feet tall and he wished the ground would open up and swallow him down. He clenched his jaw against the pain he felt breaking his heart as he looked into the agonizingly despondent eyes of his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d he said in a whispered voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch almost laughed\u2026almost, but it didn\u2019t come out just right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I liked you,\u201d he said in a thick, strained voice. \u201cDamn\u2026\u201d he said, moving into the yard and turning so that Joe had to turn as well just to be able to face him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI must be the biggest fool that ever set foot in Virginia City,\u201d he declared in a loud voice. \u201cNot to mention the laughing stock of the county!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch\u2019s eyes filled with tears and he gritted his teeth. Joe stood silent, unable to speak, for his friend\u2019s words sliced through his heart like a knife into soft butter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDamn you, Joe Cartwright\u2026damn you to hell!\u201d shouted Mitch as he swung back his fist and smashed it into the face of his former friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Blood spurted from Joe\u2019s nose as he was sent reeling backward, landing against his horse. Joe pushed himself upright, just as another fist slammed into his stomach.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026\u201d groaned Joe as he doubled up in pain; his arms folded across his middle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch, driven by the hurt he\u2019d felt, grabbed Joe\u2019s hair and yanked Joe\u2019s head upright. With his other fist doubled up into a tight knot, he hit Joe again. This time Joe staggered backward and fell to the ground, where he remained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet up!\u201d snarled Mitch, \u201cand fight me!\u201d he screamed. Mitch kicked Joe in his side with the toe of his boot and yelled again at the man on the ground.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI said, get up, damn you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe, his hand covering his bleeding nose, shook his head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d demanded Mitch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch wiped his sleeve across his eyes to dry the beads of sweat that had filled his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to fight you, that\u2019s why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll grind you into the dirt, Cartwright, if you don\u2019t get up and fight me!\u201d Mitch promised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo what you have to do, Mitch\u2026I don\u2019t care what happens to me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe slowly rose up until he was on his knees. There was a cut above his left eye and he swayed slightly for the soreness in his body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m no good with out you, Mitch. Any battles we\u2019ve had, we\u2019ve fought together, not against one another. If I have to let you \u2018grind me into the dirt\u2019 in order to win back your friendship, then lets get to it,\u201d Joe said as he forced himself to stand up and face the man opposite him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you talking about? You\u2019re no friend of mine\u2026not after what you did,\u201d Mitch shouted angrily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m talking about you and me and\u2026friendship. I\u2019m talking about\u2026paying the price\u2026I\u2019ll take whatever you feel I have too, if you\u2019ll just be my friend again, Mitch. I know what I did was wrong, I was selfish, self-centered and I\u2026I was the loser\u2026not you. I lost something that no amount of money can ever buy back\u2026your friendship, Mitch\u2026you and me, pals till the end. Remember\u2026we made that promise way back in the first grade\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s tone had taken on a rasping sound as he fought to control the surge of emotion that consumed him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you understand anything?\u201d he screamed at Mitch. \u201cI\u2019m the damn fool, not you\u2026I\u2019m the Jackass\u2026not you\u2026I\u2019m nothing anymore, Mitch\u2026I\u2019m cow dung on the bottom of your boot. What more do you want me to say? I\u2019m not worthy to be your friend\u2026I don\u2019t deserve your friendship\u2026but I want to be\u2026please\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head lowered and even from the distance that separated them, Mitch could hear the soft murmurs of sorrow and remorse that Joe made. He was stunned by the words Joe had slung at him, he was taken back by the show of emotions that Joe displayed. His own actions were stilled by the defeated and heart-wrenching sounds that his former friend was making.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch took a cautious step forward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly, Joe raised his head and looked at Mitch. His face was a wretched show of dejection and it did not go unnoticed by the other young man. Never before had Mitch seen Joe so down trodden.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, hit me,\u201d Joe offered, removing his hands so that Mitch could have clear access to his already battered face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you mean those things, what you just said?\u201d Mitch asked in a calmer voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked up at his friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you suggesting I lied?\u201d Joe said with a smirk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I ain\u2019t never known you to lie\u2026well, not since we were boys,\u201d Mitch said with a twinge of a smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you just called me a lair\u2026you change your mind already?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch stood with his hands on his hips, not really knowing what he was feeling right at present.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d he said. \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wiped his sleeve across the front of his nose where the blood still dripped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid you mean them things?\u201d Mitch asked again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s lips made a tight, straight line across his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI meant them,\u201d he answered, turning to look off, not really caring to see his friend gloating at him. \u201cWell?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell what?\u201d Mitch asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you waiting for? Hit me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was Mitch\u2019s turn to lower his head. He shook it back and forth as he did so.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t wanna hit you\u2026not anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head snapped up and stared in surprise at the other man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cForget what I said,\u201d Mitch growled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothing\u2026aw, galldangit, Joe, you\u2019re bleeding all over the place.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch stepped over to help Joe steady himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCome on in the house and let me help you get cleaned up. If Ma sees your face, she\u2019ll probably try to tan my hide for hitting you. You know she always thought you had the face of an angel,\u201d Mitch snarled as he led the way into the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe snickered, not quite sure how things had gotten turned around as they had.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know you could hit so hard,\u201d he said with a slight giggle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSit down,\u201d Mitch said pointing to a chair in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He busied himself with getting fresh water from the pump at the sink and a clean rag from the drawer so that Joe could wash the blood off his face and hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s cause you and me ain\u2019t never been in a fight before\u2026leastways\u2026against each other,\u201d Mitch informed Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe wet the rag and moving to stand before the mirror, washed away the blood and dirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the way my face feels, I\u2019m glad we\u2019re friends and not enemies,\u201d he laughed and then as fast as the laughter came, it ended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe turned slowly around to face Mitch, who was standing behind him, watching in the mirror.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre we\u2026friends, I mean?\u201d Joe asked in a voice that sounded so boyish.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch hung his head. His own throat had swelled and his words were hard to say.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI reckon so\u2026if ya wanna be,\u201d he said, raising his eyes and looking into Joe\u2019s. \u201cI guess I\u2019d rather have our friendship than to be the champion arm wrestler, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe smiled, the light in his eyes returned as he tossed the cloth over onto the table and offered his hand to his\u2026friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wanna be,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Mitch said, grinning and taking the offered hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Both young men pulled the other into their arms and hugged their friend.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m really sorry, Mitch\u2026for hurting you. I swear, I\u2019ll never do something like that again,\u201d Joe promised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry too, Joe\u2026for hitting you\u2026but I\u2019ll have to be honest\u2026\u201d he said meekly as he rubbed his fist with this opened hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked confused. \u201cHonest about what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch smiled broadly and his eyes danced with amusement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHitting you\u2026man, it sure did feel good,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHA\u2026I can\u2019t believe you said that!\u201d shouted Joe, though he laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Again, the laughter disappeared and Joe turned serious.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have to admit something too, Mitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe stepped up to his friend\u2026his best friend\u2026and slipped his arm about Mitch\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a small price to pay\u2026for friendship. And even though my face is throbbing, my lips are swollen, my eye is black, there\u2019s a two inch cut on my forehead\u2026not to mention that my shirt is ruined\u2026I\u2019m glad I paid it\u2026friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A bear hug signaled an end to the of the dispute and marked a new beginning for the two young men who had once again, found their way back from the bitter hurt that had separated them and into the everlasting bonds of friendship.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

September 2004<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0 My version of what happened next after Joe destroyed his lifelong friendship with Mitch Devlin in, Between Heaven and Earth.<\/p>\n

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