{"id":12315,"date":"2005-03-13T17:09:09","date_gmt":"2005-03-13T22:09:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12315"},"modified":"2026-07-31T08:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T12:44:09","slug":"the-green-eyed-monster-by-debbieb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12315","title":{"rendered":"The Green Eyed Monster (by DebbieB)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0Little Joe’s been bitten by something his Pa calls the green-eyed monster. He isn’t quite sure what it is, but he knows he’s not feeling to well because of it.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0 G\u00a0 (10,800 words)<\/p>\n

The Green Eyed Monster<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ben read the note for the third time, sighing deeply as he laid the crinkled paper down in front of him and leaned back in his chair. It was the third note in less than two weeks that was sent home from school with his son, from the teacher, Miss Abigail Jones. Moments later, he forced himself to take a deep breath; letting it out slowly, he pushed back the chair and stood up.<\/p>\n

He hated confrontations of such, especially with his youngest son. They always seemed to have an ill affect on him, leaving him feeling like the one being held accountable, more so than the actual guilty party. And when corporal punishment was needed, it seemed like the thrashing hurt him more than the one being punished.<\/p>\n

Slowly, the reluctant father climbed the stairs. Adam, who had been sitting in the blue chair at the base of the staircase, and Hoss who had settled himself on the red settee, both watched as their father lumbered upward, his footsteps clunking heavily on the hard wooden steps as he made his forward march. Ben hesitated slightly on the top most steps and glanced back. Quickly, Hoss looked down; Adam straightened himself in the chair and pretended to be reading the book held in his hands. They hadn\u2019t fooled the eldest Cartwright; Ben had seen the looks in both of his sons\u2019 eyes. He could sense in them, the same dread that he, himself was currently feeling. The desperation that churned in his stomach did nothing to squelch the dread or lessen his feelings of inadequacy over control of the situation.<\/p>\n

Ben tapped softly on the door and without waiting for an invitation to enter, pushed the thick oak door opened. It was as he knew it would be, Little Joe stood at the foot of the bed, his arms behind his back, his hands folded together, waiting. His father could not help the feeling that he was entering into the den of lions, much as Daniel of olden days had been forced to do. The outcome of that long ago event suddenly escaped from his mind as Ben tried to focus on the present rather than bygone days. He couldn\u2019t help intercepting the sensation of dread that appeared on the young face and which hung as a cloak of fog, heavy upon the mist. The green eyes, dulled with worry, stared at him, unblinking, as he tread silently into the room, closing the door firmly behind him. Ben saw the boy swallow deeply when the sound of the closing door echoed softly in the hallway. He felt his own heart rate pick up momentum and knew without doubt that the boy\u2019s had done the same.<\/p>\n

The youngster\u2019s head lowered. Ben could already see the chin that had begun to quiver. What he was being forced to do was not going to be easy. He loathed physical punishment, but sometimes, such as now, he was left with no other choice. Everything he had tried, had failed, and still his youngest son seemed determined to disobey his authority, setting himself above reproach, which in the end, would prove to be the boy\u2019s undoing.<\/p>\n

Saying nothing, empathy surprisingly engulfing him, Ben stepped forward, placed his fingers gently under the boy\u2019s chin and raised the curly head upward so that he could look into his son\u2019s eyes. They had started to mist, though Ben knew that the youngster was struggling not to cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you have to say for yourself, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe swallowed, seeking to clear the thickness from his throat before trying to give his excuses for his unacceptable conduct. His mind quickly ran through the events of the past few days, but trying to collect the thoughts that seemed to fall into no particular pattern was no easy task.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s fingers added just a smidgeon of pressure to the upturned chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I\u2019m\u2026\u201d Joe suddenly pulled free of his father\u2019s touch, stomping his foot and turning away. \u201cI don\u2019t know why I did what I did\u2026I just did!\u201d<\/p>\n

Feeling of compassion had started to root in the elder man\u2019s heart, but the sudden outburst had stilled the emotion and changed rapidly to anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow just what kind of an answer is that!\u201d he stormed at the boy.<\/p>\n

The boy misunderstood, it was a statement, not meant for answering. Frustration slipped in, taking command of his thoughts and misguiding his tongue.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026it\u2019s the only one I\u2019ve got!\u201d Joe stormed back.<\/p>\n

Ben inhaled deeply. His face reddened slightly, but enough so that when his son glanced back at the father, he knew he\u2019d pushed too far.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a trip to the barn is in order, young man\u2026you most certainly seem to be long over due for a good thrashing!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes widened as he spun around on his heels. His tongue seemed to come unglued as his mouth hung open. His words came out in a sputtering style.<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT\u2026you wouldn\u2019t! I\u2019m almost sixteen\u2026you can\u2019t spank me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t? I most certainly can, young man!\u201d growled Ben. \u201cOr would you prefer your mouth washed out\u2026perhaps you might do well to have both!\u201d<\/p>\n

He stood in shock at the boy\u2019s audacity. His hands were firmly gripping his hips as he took the first step forward.<\/p>\n

Fear instantly shrouded the boy\u2019s expression and Joe dared to step back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mean, \u2018you couldn\u2019t\u2019\u2026honest, Pa,\u201d he sputtered in an attempt to clarify his badly chosen words. \u201cI\u2026I meant\u2026you couldn\u2019t\u2026no, I mean\u2026you wouldn\u2019t dare\u2026no\u2026no\u2026I mean, you\u2026hmm\u2026aren\u2019t serious, are you, Pa, I mean, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had taken another step backward. The back of his legs pressed against the mattress on his bed and the sudden realization that he was trapped whizzed through his thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2026and I will!\u201d Ben shouted. \u201cHow dare you speak to me as such!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026honest\u2026it just came out all wrong\u2026please\u2026I\u2026I didn\u2019t mean it, I apologize\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took a deep breath and let it rush from his lungs. What\u2019s the use, he pondered, he was his own worst enemy. He had not only been disrespectful to others, but now he had the added crime of being disrespectful to his own father. A very bad move, he conceded.<\/p>\n

Ben too, took a deep breath. He had noted the downcast expression in the sad green eyes. Though he knew that his son fought against the tears, one lone droplet managed to roll silently without cause, down the front of the youngster\u2019s handsome face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I deserve anything you deem fit, Pa,\u201d the boy muttered softly, his voice resounding with more than just capitulation.<\/p>\n

The observant father thought he picked up on something more, something akin to bitterness. It surprised him somewhat, for he still had no answer to his first question\u2026the reasons behind the unconventional behavior. Something had happened to change his son, but what\u2026what could have transformed the once happy-go-lucky boy into a spiteful, resentful and obnoxious young man?<\/p>\n

Joe raised his head slowly, glancing at his father. Ben had fallen silent, a strange occurrence to be sure, thought the boy. His father seemed deep in thought, and so, Joe took the time to move slowly away from the bed, freeing himself from the trap he had backed himself into. Without a word, he eased toward the door, never taking his eyes from his father.<\/p>\n

When Ben at last looked up, he was shocked to find his son\u2026gone! Joe had actually had the impertinence to flee the room, taking advantage of his father\u2019s deviant trance. Instantly, Ben rushed to the window, jerking back the drapes to peer out the window just in time to see Joe disappear into the barn.<\/p>\n

Ben tore from the room in a flash. His nostrils flared with unbridled anger as he raced down the stairs.<\/p>\n

Hoss glanced up from the bridle he was working on. Adam sat forward in his chair; both wore perplexed looks on their faces. It was the second time in a matter of a few seconds that one of their family members had tore through the living room, running as if Lucifer himself was in pursuit. One glanced at the other. Adam raised his thick brows. Hoss shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cJOSEPH! YOU COME BACK HERE, RIGHT THIS MINUTE!\u201d Ben bellowed at the top of his voice.<\/p>\n

He stood on the porch watching his youngest son ride wildly from the yard, away from the house. Cochise\u2019s black tail straightened as the wind caught it\u2019s long silken threads in his mad dash to adhere to his master\u2019s commands and put distance between themselves and the man on the porch who bellowed like a mother bear in war to protect her young.<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss hurried outside to join their father. They glanced quickly at the red face and dark eyes and without having to ask, knew that the man whom they called father, was more angry than they had ever seen him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust wait until I get my hands on that boy!\u201d Ben muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he done this time?\u201d Adam dared to question.<\/p>\n

Hoss held his breath, expecting his father to turn his wrath on Adam and himself. But the angered man held himself in check. His eyes were like black onyx and his breathing was slow and deliberate. Hoss watched his father\u2019s Adam\u2019s apple move up and down as Ben swallowed his emotions. He felt his own throat constrict and he was forced to swallow as well.<\/p>\n

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

Ben turned to his oldest son. \u201cSaddle my horse.\u201d He turned and without further ado re-entered the house.<\/p>\n

Minutes later, Ben came back outside. He had donned his hat and was in the process of tying down his sidearm as he made his way toward his sons. Adam had saddled Buck and was waiting at the hitching post. When Ben came close, Adam handed the reins over to his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t wait up for me,\u201d Ben ordered as he took the leather straps and moved to mount up.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026do you want us to go with\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d Ben snarled. \u201cI\u2019ll handle this! I\u2019m not sure how long I\u2019ll be gone, but I want you two to stay here and take care of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026where are you goin\u2019?\u201d Hoss questioned timidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure, Hoss\u2026probably where ever your brother leads me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben had mounted up and Adam moved closer to rest his hand on the side of Buck\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened, Pa\u2026why did Little Joe take off like he did?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben let the air rush from his chest. His head shook slowly from side to side.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure what happened, son. One minute we were talking\u2026or rather I was shouting\u2026the next thing I knew, he was gone. I just turned my head for a moment\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026I\u2019m not sure what\u2019s going on with that boy, but something\u2019s troubling him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we\u2019ve noticed it too, Pa,\u201d Hoss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been acting strange, that\u2019s for sure\u2026I mean, he\u2019s always a bit weird, but this time, it\u2019s different,\u201d Adam added.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas he said anything\u2026to either of you?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head. \u201cNo sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026you know yourself, I\u2019m the last person Joe would confide in\u2026but in answer to your question, no, he hasn\u2019t said anything to me. Something\u2019s eating him up, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply. \u201cI wish I knew what it was!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of things around here,\u201d Ben told both young men. \u201cAnd keep an eye on, you know who.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026I\u2019d almost forgot about our guest,\u201d Adam said, his brows drawing together as if he were deep in thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d Hoss called, stepping forward. \u201cDo ya reckon, you know who, might be the cause of Little Joe\u2019s strange behavior?\u201d<\/p>\n

At the suggestion, Ben\u2019s brown eyes suddenly widened. \u201cHoss\u2026I never thought of that\u2026but why would it\u2026I mean\u2026they haven\u2019t been quarreling, have they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNosir, not so\u2019s I\u2019d notice,\u201d answered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, have you noticed anything going on between them?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam seemed to ponder the thought. \u201cI haven\u2019t heard either say anything cross or out of the ordinary to one another, but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I did see Joe making some menacing looking scowls a time or two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026just about every time he saw the two of you together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s shoulders slumped as his large frame relaxed in the saddle. His eyes took on a faraway expression. Lips that had minutes ago been taunt with stress, turned upward forming a half smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019cha thinkin\u2019, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked as he glanced at Adam and then back again at his father.<\/p>\n

Glancing down at both Hoss and Adam, Ben grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think your little brother might be suffering from a case of the green eyed monster.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe green eyed\u2026what?\u201d stammered Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe green eyed monster, Hoss\u2026jealousy!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOhhhh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe pulled his horse to a halt and quickly slid down from the saddle. His legs shook with weakness, his stomach churned and when he spun around, away from his horse, he fell to his knees, his arms crisscrossing and clutching his abdomen. From deep within, he felt the urgent need to vomit and seconds later the hot bile gushed from his mouth, spewing out, onto the ground. Twice more his stomach lurched sending spasms of bile erupting forth. After several moments, Joe wiped the sleeve of his shirt across his mouth to dry the dampness. Slowly, he got to his feet and walked the short distance to where his mother was buried.<\/p>\n

Marie\u2019s grave was, to her son, a sanctuary, a source of comfort when the boy was troubled or unhappy. He had grieved long for his mother when she passed, but now tended to go there often, if for no other reason but to feel the closeness of the mother whom he loved and who had died long before her time.<\/p>\n

It was times such as these, when Little Joe Cartwright found himself in more trouble than he could measure, that he needed the reassurance that kneeling in his mother\u2019s presumed presence often brought to him. Joe slowly lowered his slender frame to the ground and placed a hand on the hand carved stone that bore his mother\u2019s name. His head was bent low and his shoulders slumped heavily. Had she been able to hear him, Marie would have heard her son softly begin to sob. Tears rolled unchecked down the boy\u2019s dirty face, leaving tiny white tracks as they made their way to the end of his quivering chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026can\u2019t believe\u2026I took\u2026off like I did\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s head moved slowly from side to side.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026would\u2026be\u2026so\u2026ashamed of me\u2026Mama\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The weeping lad brushed away the tears with one hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m\u2026leavin\u2019\u2026I gotta\u2026get out of\u2026here. I don\u2019t know\u2026where I\u2019ll go\u2026but it\u2026doesn\u2019t matter\u2026he\u2026he\u2026doesn\u2019t care. Not anymore\u2026he don\u2019t\u2026he\u2019s got what\u2026he\u2019s always wanted\u2026a\u2026a…Oh\u2026Mama\u2026how could he\u2026do that\u2026to me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Unconscious of his actions, Joe lowered his body down, across the mound of soft grasses that lay like a carpet atop Marie\u2019s final resting place. Forceful, heart-wrenching sobs shook the slender frame. It was several long minutes before the sobs began to subside and only a matter of seconds, so it seemed, before the unhappy boy had fallen to sleep upon his earthen bed\u2026..<\/p>\n

Ben burst into the house, grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam, Hoss\u2026Joe\u2026guess what?\u201d he shouted excitedly as he ripped his hat from his head and tossed it onto the credenza.<\/p>\n

His sons were sitting at the table and quickly got to their feet and rushed over to greet their father. From the happy glow that covered his weathered face, it was plain to see that Ben had some sort of good news to share with his sons.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up, Pa?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you sure are in a good mood,\u201d grinned Hoss as he glanced around at his brothers.<\/p>\n

Little Joe stood with his arms crossed, grinning at the strange look his father wore.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, come on, what\u2019s going on?\u201d Adam pressured his father, who seemed to be taking his time in sharing his good news.<\/p>\n

Ben chuckled softly as he pulled an envelop from his breast pocket and waved it in front of the trio of young men.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got this letter today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s it from?\u201d questioned Little Joe.<\/p>\n

He tried to take the letter from his father\u2019s hand, but Ben pulled back before the boy could snatch it.<\/p>\n

\u201cA cousin\u2026from back east.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019 brows rose slightly as he scrunched up his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know we had cousins back east.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I reckon we do,\u201d laughed Ben. \u201cThis here letter is from my second cousin, Samuel Larson, on my mother\u2019s, mother\u2019s side of the family.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind,\u201d chuckled Ben. \u201cAnyway, Sam wrote to ask if I would mind having his daughter come stay for an extended visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Hoss swapped smiles; their merry eyes twinkled with anticipation; already their minds were swirling with pleasant thoughts of having a young lady in the house.<\/p>\n

Joe wrinkled up his nose in displeasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm\u2026just how old is this daughter?\u201d Hoss hinted.<\/p>\n

\u201cGee\u2026I\u2019m not sure, Sam didn\u2019t say exactly\u2026only that she had completed her studies at some finishing school for young ladies, so\u2026I would guess she\u2019d be around seventeen or eighteen, why, does it matter?\u201d Ben explained, eyeing all three.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026no\u2026it don\u2019t make no never mind to me\u2026how about you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026not at all,\u201d he answered, trying to keep the smile from broadening.<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t reckon\u2026fact is, I really don\u2019t care one way or the other, just as long as she stays away from me\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam snickered softly and Hoss chuckled aloud. Joe just looked at his brothers with a perplexed look on his young, innocent looking face, not really understanding what his two older brothers found so amusing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does your cousin want her to stay with us?\u201d Adam inquired.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know that either. Sam just says in the letter that she will be arriving on the 10th of the month\u2026which is next week! I guess I\u2019d better ride into town and send a wire to him and tell him we\u2019ll be looking forward to her visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll do it for you, Pa\u2026it\u2019s Saturday night and Hoss and I will be going into town later,\u201d offered Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019ll be fine, son, thank you. It will be nice having a young lady in the house\u2026you know,\u201d grinned Ben as he slipped his arm about Joe\u2019s shoulders and smiled down at the boy. \u201cWhen your mother was carrying you, Joseph, we so hoped for a daughter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss laughed, winking at his older brother. \u201cYeah, me and ole Adam here wished for a baby sister too, and look what we got instead!\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrouble\u2026all wrapped up neat and pretty like, all in blue,\u201d Adam said, taking up the teasing.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face puckered up in a deep frown; his cheeks reddened slightly. His father felt the muscles tighten beneath his touch. He glanced down, seeing the hurt expression on the young face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright, you two\u2026enough teasing. They didn\u2019t mean that, Joe\u2026we were all perfectly happy when you turned out to be a boy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah\u2026I just bet you were!\u201d snapped Joe as he pulled away from his father and rushed from the house, banging the door shut behind him.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s own smile disappeared as he glared at the other two.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow look what you\u2019ve done\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026shucks, Pa, we was just afunnin\u2019 the boy\u2026we didn\u2019t mean nothin\u2019 by it, did we Adam?\u201d Hoss cried in his own defense.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026Pa\u2026we were only teasing. That boy takes everything we say the wrong way\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s very sensitive, Adam\u2026you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed deeply and nodded his head. \u201cI suppose. Well, we\u2019ll apologize to him; come on Hoss, let\u2019s see if we can find him.\u201d Adam started for the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know where he hides\u2026in the loft,\u201d Hoss said, following Adam out the door.<\/p>\n

Little Joe was in the barn, but not up in the loft like his brother assumed he would be. Instead, he was currying his horse and never bothered to look up when Adam and Hoss entered the barn and stopped next to where he was working.<\/p>\n

Adam glanced at Hoss, raised his brows slightly and then turned to the boy.<\/p>\n

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

Little Joe ignored the pair and kept on with what he was doing, totally aware that he was being watched.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just want ya to know, we didn\u2019t mean anything by what we said a little while ago,\u201d Hoss said in a remorseful tone.<\/p>\n

Joe barely glanced their way. \u201cOf course you didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a deep breath trying to keep himself calm. \u201cWe didn\u2019t\u2026honest, Joe. We were only funning with you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026is that what you call it? Well, I guess I owe you an apology, cause I didn\u2019t think it was funny\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

He tossed the currycomb down on the shelf and pushed his way passed his brothers. \u201cI guess Pa thought it was funny too, didn\u2019t he? He never has let me forget the fact that when I was born, he wanted a daughter\u2026but instead, he got me\u2026just like you pointed out. Well, that wasn\u2019t my fault\u2026I\u2019m sorry the lot of you are so disappointed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stunned, Adam and Hoss could say nothing. Joe ran from the barn before either could collect their senses. Seconds passed before Hoss spoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019ll be dadburn!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, son\u2026they were only teasing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care\u2026it wasn\u2019t funny!\u201d stormed Little Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben and his youngest son stood together in the den area of the large open room. Joe had rushed inside, having been confronted by his two brothers and quite unhappy with the teasing that had continued for several days since Ben had announced that he had once hoped for a daughter but had gotten a third son instead.<\/p>\n

Ben couldn\u2019t help but smile. His son\u2019s curly head bobbed up and down and from side to side. He noticed immediately that the boy was in much need of a haircut. He\u2019d have to see to that before company arrived, he thought to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cPA! You haven\u2019t even heard a word I\u2019ve said!\u201d Joe wailed.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s pondering stopped immediately as he glanced up at the boy, not sure of his son\u2019s last words.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe\u2026what did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind\u2026it was nothing,\u201d Joe muttered.<\/p>\n

He heard the door open, glanced over to see his brothers entering the house and hurried toward the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta clean up before supper,\u201d he rushed, leaving no time for his father to question his motives for a quick departure.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s with him?\u201d Adam said, nodding with his head toward Joe who took the stairs two at a time.<\/p>\n

Ben pressed his lips tightly and shook his head. \u201cBeats me,\u201d he answered, returning to the papers scattered about on his desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cSay\u2026Pa\u2026I ran into Joe\u2019s teacher today in town\u2026unfortunately,\u201d groaned Adam.<\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled softly, earning himself a stern look from his brother. The old maid schoolteacher made little secret of the fact that she thought Adam Cartwright was the man for her. She had, on more than one occasion, made a point in letting the elder son know of her feelings for him. Today had been no different and Adam had found himself trapped when he had fool heartedly darted into the mercantile to avoid her. Miss Jones eyesight was keen and when Adam had tried his daring escape, she had followed him into the store, cornering him instantly. It had then taken her over half an hour to present the note to her secret love with a request that he pass it on to his father.<\/p>\n

Hoss had stood to the side, waiting and watching the proceedings, snickering under his breath, much as he was now. Adam braved another intimidating glare at his middle brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe asked me to give you this,\u201d he said, holding out a small white envelope.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced up, eyed the envelope and with a sudden dread in his gut, took the article from Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sure hope this doesn\u2019t mean what it usually does,\u201d Ben said in a disheartened mood.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess you won\u2019t know until you open it,\u201d Adam said with a touch of humor.<\/p>\n

All three of them knew what it usually meant when Ben was presented with a note from Miss Abigail Jones, the local schoolmarm. His youngest son was usually in some sort of trouble. Ben sighed deeply and slowly tore open the envelope, pulling the note from inside. Quickly, the reluctant father scanned the contents and sighed again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Adam muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what you think? Naturally the boy\u2019s been in trouble again,\u201d Ben heaved.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s he done this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDisrupting the class\u2026arguing with the teacher, fighting\u2026what on earth has gotten in to that boy!\u201d groaned Ben. \u201cWhy Lord\u2026why couldn\u2019t you have given me a daughter!\u201d<\/p>\n

From the top of the stairs and just around the corner, Joe had his back pushed tightly against the wall. His father\u2019s words reached his ears, leaving the boy with a heavy heart. He slowly turned and made his way to his room where he shut the door and flung himself across the bed. He buried his head under his pillow and willed away the unhappy tears that formed in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy God? What is so special about a girl baby? Nothing\u2026they can\u2019t do anything\u2026they can\u2019t ride, they can\u2019t rope and they\u2019re too sissy to brand calves. So why does Pa want one so badly?\u201d he whined in soft muffled words.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d Adam said as he stuck his head into the room. \u201cPa asked me to tell to come downstairs, he wants a word with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

With his lips drawn tightly together, Joe moved off the bed. He glanced up at his brother who waited at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess he\u2019s mad, heh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d say so, buddy,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Joe moved into the hallway.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe\u2026what\u2019s up with all these notes? It\u2019s not like you to talk back to the teacher\u2026and knowing you as I do\u2026I\u2019d say you had a pretty good reason for fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe paused, raising his head. Adam noted the unhappiness that clouded the hazel eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t understand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI might\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you wouldn\u2019t, no body understands\u2026in fact\u2026no body even cares\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe didn\u2019t give his brother time to respond, but instead hurried down the stairs. He stopped on the landing, seeing his father sitting at his desk. Ben sensed the boy\u2019s presence and when he looked up, Joe moved more slowly downward. Ben rose to his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, come over here please.\u201d<\/p>\n

Obediently, Joe complied. When he stood face to face with his father, he glanced slowly up to meet his father\u2019s deep probing eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben held the note up so that Joe could see it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWould you like to explain this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t my fault\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course not\u2026it never is, is it?\u201d Ben barked, angered that another note had made it\u2019s way to his desk. \u201cWhat is going on, son?\u201d Ben asked after taking a deep breath to try to calm himself. He knew it would do no good to anger the boy; Joe would only clam up or worse, talk back which would earn him the dreaded trip to the woodshed.<\/p>\n

Ben walked around the desk and stopped beside the boy. Tenderly, he placed his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, Pa\u2026it was nothing\u2026I mean, some of the guys were teasing me\u2026and I lost my temper\u2026as usual. Then when I tried to explain it to Miss Jones, she wouldn\u2019t give me a chance\u2026and I got mad, so, I\u2026I\u2026guess I shouted at her, I\u2019m sorry\u2026it won\u2019t happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re sorry? Well, I suppose that\u2019s something good in your favor. I expect you to apologize to her, tomorrow\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, I will\u2026but Pa, tomorrow is Saturday\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen do it Monday! What were the boys teasing you about?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hesitated slightly. He couldn\u2019t really tell his father that his so-called friends were teasing him about his size\u2026and\u2026and\u2026how he resembled a girl more than a boy\u2026what with his curly hair and slender build\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026forgot, I\u2019m sorry though, Pa\u2026honest\u2026for fighting\u2026I won\u2019t do it again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u201d Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes took on a near pleading look as he tried to quickly think of the answer that he knew his father would demand. Ben heard the wind rush from the boy\u2019s lungs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just some silly jokes about\u2026how\u2026small I was\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s heart was in his eyes, and his father saw the hurt look.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat again, heh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u201d the boy answered lowly.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s own heart mellowed as he slipped his arm about his son\u2019s shoulder and pulled the boy to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026I\u2019ve had this same conversation with your brother, Hoss\u2026about his size. When he was your age\u2026he was as big as any man around, and I had to keep reminding him that it wasn\u2019t his size that counted or his size that made him a man, but what was inside. Here, in his heart. The same is true for you, son. You\u2019ll grow\u2026you\u2019ve nowhere reached your full growth\u2026it may take several years yet, but you won\u2019t always be\u2026the shortest, or the slimmest, or the one with\u2026\u201d Ben chuckled as he ran his hand through the boy\u2019s mass of chestnut curls, \u201cor the one with all the curls. You need a haircut, Joseph. We\u2019ll do that first thing in the morning when we go into town to pick up our guest. That way you will look presentable. But about the fighting\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt won\u2019t happen again, Pa\u2026I promise I\u2019ll try to ignore the teasing\u2026and I promise to apologize to Miss Jones first thing on Monday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. I should punish you\u2026but I\u2019m not going to\u2026this time. But rest assured young man, if another note is sent home\u2026you and I will have to have a very necessary little talk!\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cUnderstand?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe returned the smile. \u201cYes sir!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, now off to bed with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned to go but stopped just a few steps into his retreat. When he turned around, he saw that his father had sat back down behind his desk.<\/p>\n

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

Ben looked up, surprised to see Joe still there.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you want something, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re\u2026I mean\u2026you\u2019re happy about your cousin\u2019s daughter coming to visit, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded his head. \u201cYes\u2026of course I am. It will be nice to have a young lady in the house again. It\u2019s been so long since\u2026well\u2026it will be nice, it\u2019ll be almost like having a daughter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s frown deepened slightly. He turned to go, still at a loss as to why having a girl in the house would make everyone so happy, except for him. Slowly Joe made his way up the stairs. \u2018She just better not get in my way!\u2019 he grumbled to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you say something, Joe?\u201d Ben called, looking up from his desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, I\u2019d better be on my way\u2026night, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood night son\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

They stood together on the platform and watched as the stage came rolling into town. Hoss grinned at his older brother, anticipation glowing in his sky blue eyes. Adam smiled too as he straightened his tie. He had secret hopes of his own, about the young woman, which he had not bothered to share with his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cHere it comes,\u201d Ben said in an excited voice.<\/p>\n

Joe stood off to one side, away from the others. He had tried to talk his father into letting him wait at home for the unknown cousin to arrive, but his father had stood firm, stating that it was only proper that all four of them be there to greet the girl, so Joe had no other recourse but to do as his father ordered. He was walking on thin ice as it were and Joe had enough good sense to know not to push his father too far.<\/p>\n

Ben was immediately at the coach door ready to offer a helping hand to the disembarking passengers. The young woman was the last to step down, accepting Ben\u2019s hand. She was breathtakingly beautiful as she smiled a warm greeting to her hosts. Adam and Hoss seemed stunned into immobility by the lady\u2019s beauty until their father turned and urged them to step forward. Joe lingered behind, unimpressed by the soft voice and gentile manner. He could see nothing in the young woman that interested him and was determined not to be beguiled by the lady\u2019s out going personality that his brothers seemed so smitten by.<\/p>\n

Emily Grace set her dainty foot on the ground. Her smile only deepened as she greeted Hoss and then Adam. The glow of happiness lit her emerald eyes, and then she turned, spying the young, shy teenager who stood silently behind his father, trying not to let his eyes light on the pretty face.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this must be, Little Joe?\u201d Emily stated in a delicate, smooth voice.<\/p>\n

All three of the Cartwright men, turned their heads to glance at the youngest member of the family. Joe felt his face redden at the unwanted attention. Emily moved between the older gentlemen until she stood inches away from the embarrassed boy. Her gloved hand reached out, beckoning for Little Joe to take it and welcome her to Virginia City.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes darted from one face to another. In his father\u2019s eyes, he saw the expectancy that forced him to comply with the young woman\u2019s greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d he said in a rather subdued manner.<\/p>\n

He quickly caught his father\u2019s stern look that Ben gave from where he stood slightly behind the lady.<\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome to Virginia City\u2026I hope you enjoy your stay,\u201d he added quickly and in a more enthusiastic manner.<\/p>\n

Joe took the pro-offered hand by the fingertips, amazed at the tingling that surged through his veins when they touched. As if they were hot coals, Joe drew back his hand and placed it behind his back. The pink hue that had settled on his cheeks, deepened when he heard his two brothers snicker.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy thank you, Little Joe, I\u2019m sure I will have a very pleasant visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily turned to Ben. \u201cI just can\u2019t wait to see your ranch, Mr. Cartwright. Father has told me so much about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, we should be going, it\u2019s a long ride. The buggy is over here,\u201d Ben pointed, turning to look down the street where his team was tied.<\/p>\n

When he turned back, Adam and Hoss had already offered their arms to their guest. The trio walked arm in arm down the boarded walkway toward the buggy. Ben snickered, glanced down at Joe and slipped his arm about his son\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess we\u2019d better get the young lady\u2019s baggage, seems as if your brothers have only one thing on their minds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked puzzled. \u201cWhat might that be?\u201d he asked as he gathered the smaller bags.<\/p>\n

Ben gave Joe a quizzical look. \u201cNever mind son, you\u2019ll learn soon enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Emily Grace Larson appeared to have made herself at home in the Cartwright household. She even had them all eating out of the palm of her hand\u2026all but one, and that one, young as he was, remained aloft to her gentle mannerisms and sweet enticing voice. He watched from afar at how the pretty young woman batted her eyes at his oldest brother and played flirting games with Hoss, who blushed each and every time he stood in her presence. Even his father had been smitten by her charms, and the methods she used to play out her wiles were sickening for the younger boy to watch.<\/p>\n

Oh, he\u2019d been polite to her, had even gone so far as to go riding with her. That in itself was surprising, for Joe had thought she didn\u2019t know how to ride. Another thing that caught him off guard was when they were alone, he had even found her fun to be with, but he\u2019d never admit it to anyone, least of all his brothers.<\/p>\n

But there was something about her that troubled him. Maybe it was the way that she eyed his father, or the way that she was always reaching out her perfectly manicured hand and resting her fingers on his father\u2019s arm\u2026maybe it was the ways in which she some how managed to keep all of his father\u2019s attention for herself, leaving him nothing.<\/p>\n

She catered to his father, fetching his slippers for him, pouring his coffee and once she even lit his father\u2019s pipe for him. Joe felt his body shutter with repulsion. She was wiggling her way into his father\u2019s heart, that was obvious, if to no one else, it was to him and the idea that Ben was beginning to think of her as the daughter he\u2019d been denied, gnawed away at his soul, nibbled at his thoughts until he felt consumed by it and leaving him with the feeling like he wanted or needed to run away. But he had managed to shrug off the urge for now, what point would it serve, his running away, he had asked himself. She\u2019d be leaving soon; not soon enough for his liking, but still, once her father arrived, she\u2019d be gone and he\u2019d have his father back again\u2026and his brothers. That came as a revelation to him, missing his brothers\u2019 attention, even if most of the time they were teasing or nagging him about something. It wasn\u2019t something he\u2019d given much thought to, having to vie for their favors. The girl had changed all of that\u2026she\u2019d changed a lot since showing up uninvited! And the anxious, worried, jealous boy counted the days until the pretty, well-mannered young woman\u2019s father would arrive and take her away.
\nThe boy\u2019s speculations proved more accurate than he had first thought. They were gathered around the dinner table the next evening when a resounding knock interrupted their dinner conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it,\u201d Joe volunteered before anyone else could respond.<\/p>\n

For the last fifteen minutes he had listened to the girl\u2019s bantering about ranch life and how much she loved living there on the Ponderosa and what she\u2019d give to stay forever and ever. Joe had silently groaned, hoping with all of his heart that his father would not extend such an invitation. He\u2019d be forced to run away for sure.<\/p>\n

The heavy door was drawn open. Joe stood face to face with a stranger, well dressed and surely of great means.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d the man smiled. \u201cI just bet that you are\u2026now let\u2019s see\u2026Little Joe Cartwright! Am I correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYessir,\u201d stammered Joe. \u201cBut I don\u2019t know you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The gentleman laughed lightly. Joe liked the man instantly, there was something familiar about the stranger that caused Joe to be drawn to his friendly demure.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you wouldn\u2019t, son. I\u2019m\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPAPA! PAPA!\u201d shouted Emily as she shoved back her chair and hurried to the door.<\/p>\n

The man dropped what baggage he held in his hands and embraced the girl in a tight hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Papa! What a surprise\u2026you weren\u2019t expected until next week!\u201d squealed Emily in excitement.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know my dear, but I couldn\u2019t wait another moment to feast my eyes on your beauty,\u201d laughed the happy father as he hugged his daughter even tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cSam!\u201d Ben shouted in a joyous tone.<\/p>\n

Ben stepped forward and grabbed his cousin\u2019s hand, pumping it up and down rapidly.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, you ole son of a gun\u2026look at you! You haven\u2019t changed one little iota!\u201d Samuel laughed heartily.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little older perhaps, and grayer, but look at you!\u201d Ben roared. \u201cWelcome\u2026this is a nice surprise\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as I told Emily\u2026I just couldn\u2019t wait a minute longer. It\u2019s been\u2026how many years, Ben\u2026twenty\u2026twenty-five?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026too long though. Sam\u2026\u201d Ben said, turning to his three sons. \u201cI want you to meet my sons\u2026this is Adam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026my, my, how you\u2019ve grown. You know, you were just a toddler when I saw you last!\u201d boasted Sam as he shook Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this is Hoss, my middle son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPleasure to meet ya, sir\u2026Pa sure has told us a lot about you\u2026and so has Miss Emily,\u201d smiled Hoss in greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh dear\u2026I hope it wasn\u2019t all bad!\u201d laughed Sam.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Papa,\u201d smirked Emily.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all, sir\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this is my youngest son, Joseph\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh yes, young Joseph,\u201d beamed Sam, smiling down at the youngster.<\/p>\n

He extended his hand, which Joe accepted immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy goodness, you sure are a handsome young fellow. I certainly hope that Emily hasn\u2019t made life too hard for you\u2026she tends to want to tease\u2026and sometimes she can be merciless\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir\u2026we\u2019ve gotten along just fine,\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

His mind was racing\u2026he liked the man\u2026but liking the daughter was something else entirely\u2026though he had tried. She had teased him, about his curly hair\u2026saying girls would die to have the natural curls that he hated; and she teased him about his size and about what his father had told her, just a few nights ago, how he had missed having a daughter of his own\u2026and she said it with such venom that he was forced to rethink his faltering friendship with her. It dawned on him later that night that she was trying purposely to make him jealous\u2026and was succeeding! He just wanted the man to take her away\u2026get her as far from his father and the ranch as possible\u2026and the sooner the better.<\/p>\n

Nearly a week had passed and still the Larson\u2019s had not so much as spoken about when they would leave. Things were getting complicated. It was getting harder and harder for Joe to be nice to their guest\u2026at least the girl, her father was an interesting sort of man, always telling him about his travels and his adventures\u2026always making Joe feel a part of the group by including him, asking for his opinions and wanting to know his thoughts. On the other hand, it seemed that his father had lost interest in those things but had found them again in the girl that had stolen his admiration away from the boy and transferred it to herself.<\/p>\n

So many times he had gone to bed, feeling as if something in his life were missing, that things had been turned topsy turvey and there was nothing he could do to right his world.<\/p>\n

This night was one of those nights. He had retired early, simply because he had grown weary of listening to Miss Emily Grace Larson brag about what a wonderful life she had and all her rich, well-to-do friends. Joe had tossed and turned and finally out of desperation, had gotten up. His intent was to go to the kitchen for a late night snack, but when he reached the top of the stairs and had heard voices, he had stopped. He was about to turn back to his room when he suddenly head his name mentioned. Knowing how his father detested eavesdropping, Joe felt a pang of guilt when he stood still, listening with unbelieving ears to the conversation taking place downstairs between his father and his father\u2019s cousin, Samuel Larson.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally, Sam, it sounds like a wonderful offer, but I\u2019m not sure Joseph would agree to anything like that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t know unless you ask him, Ben. You\u2019ve told me over and over how you\u2019ve let your sons make their own decisions in matters\u2026why not let the boy decide?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause he\u2019s just a boy, Sam. I was referring to Adam and Hoss when I said those things, not Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Ben, it would be a wonderful opportunity for the boy. Just think\u2026the best schools; I\u2019d see that he had the best of everything\u2026I\u2019d care for him as if he were my own son\u2026you know how I\u2019ve always wished for one\u2026and you said yourself how you missed not having a daughter\u2026it would be a perfect trade\u2026and it would only be for a year, two at the most. It would take the rough edges off the boy, make a gentleman out of him, introduce him to society and he\u2019ll meet influential people\u2026he could study politics or maybe he\u2019d like to attend military school. Ben,\u201d Sam said with force as he placed his hand over Ben\u2019s arm. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t deny him that, would you\u2026if he really wanted to go?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben was thoughtful for a long moment, studying his cousin\u2019s face. He could see the sincerity in the man\u2019s face and knew that Sam would do all he promised for his son. But could he let the boy go\u2026for a whole year\u2026two maybe? It would be hard, but what if Joe wanted to go\u2026dear God, how would he live during that time, missing the boy who had brought him so much joy, so much happiness into his life? Ben swallowed hard, almost regretting the decision to allow his cousin\u2019s daughter to visit them. He had somehow allowed the girl\u2019s presence to overshadow his relationship with his own son.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s thoughts were snapped back into the present. He shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course I would not deny him. The experience would be good for him, on that I agree, but\u2026I still doubt that the boy will want to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if he does?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll have no other recourse but to allow him,\u201d Ben said sadly.<\/p>\n

Sam\u2019s smile was soft and understanding. \u201cBen, I know how you must be feeling right now. I felt the same way when Emily announced that she wanted to go away to school. Here I had everything planned for her\u2026and she chose a completely different path than what I wanted her to take. But it all worked out for the best, you\u2019ve seen for yourself what a wonderful girl\u2026young woman\u2026she\u2019s become. The same thing will happen for Joseph. Why\u2026with Joseph living with me\u2026it will be like having the son I never had\u2026and you, that daughter you\u2019ve always longed for.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure I ever really wanted a daughter\u2026perhaps it was just the idea of having one\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense\u2026it\u2019s a perfect trade, your son for my daughter. It won\u2019t be forever, Ben, and it really won\u2019t be any different than when your oldest son went away to college\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben recalled his son\u2019s departure almost immediately, as if it were just yesterday. It had been one of the hardest things he had ever done, saying goodbye to his first-born and then having to face the empty hours without him. It was heart wrenching, to say the least.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced at his cousin. His eyes were heavy with dread, fear of what Little Joe might be encouraged to do, brought all the old hurts back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose it wouldn\u2019t be much different\u2026still\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen we shall put the question to him, tomorrow morning\u2026at breakfast?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026I\u2026can\u2019t honestly say, Sam, that I want him to go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Had he stayed a minute longer, Joe would have heard his father\u2019s honest proclamation. But in stead, he had listened with burning ears and before his father could speak from the heart, Little Joe had run from his hiding place at the top of the staircase and had hidden himself in his room. His breath came in short, hard little gasps. His ears burned with the sting of the lingering words\u2026his father was going to trade him for the girl\u2026the daughter he had always wanted and never had! Tears stung his emerald eyes as he fought not to cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll not cry,\u201d vowed Little Joe to himself, \u201ccrying is for girls!\u201d<\/p>\n

The next morning, he was barely able to eat the breakfast that was placed in front of him. The more he chewed a bite, the bigger it seemed to get until he was forced to gulp his milk to wash down the morsels. Looking at his father was almost as impossible as eating. Ben wore a dark solemn look on his face. Every once in a while, Joe would steal a peek in his father\u2019s direction, only to find that Ben was looking at him. When Sam and Emily, joined them, Joe could hardly sit still. His mind raced with thoughts as to how he might avoid the upcoming conversation and instead, find excuses to leave the table, thus putting off the inevitable until another time. But luck was not with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Joseph,\u201d greeted his cousin.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019, sir,\u201d replied Joe and then quickly filled his mouth full.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Cousin Ben,\u201d smiled Emily politely. \u201cMy father has made me a most wonderful offer\u2026I would love to stay with you. Living here on this beautiful ranch is like a dream come true\u2026but\u2026Papa says that Little Joe must agree to the arrangement first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat arrangement?\u201d Adam said as he glanced around at the table.<\/p>\n

He noted his father\u2019s dark expression and his youngest brother\u2019s sad, sad green eyes. He could only wonder what was in the making now.<\/p>\n

\u201cSam has made a very nice offer\u2026he wants your brother,\u201d Ben nodded at his young son, \u201cto come stay with him for awhile\u2026and has offered to allow Emily to stay with us\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa mean ya gonna trade the squirt for the young lady?\u201d snickered Hoss. He grinned broadly at Joe. \u201cMight be, Cousin Sam would get the short end of the stick\u2026hahaha\u2026so to speak, what\u2019cha think, Shortshanks?\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone around the table grew silent as all eyes turned to Joe. He felt trapped, cornered like an animal. They all expected him to jump at the chance\u2026but he didn\u2019t want the chance, he wanted to stay here\u2026with his father and his annoying bigger brothers\u2026they were all he had, the only ones in the whole wide world who really loved him! Or did they? The stupid grin on the big ox\u2019s face and the lopsided grin on Adam\u2019s face\u2026told a different story.<\/p>\n

Joe looked over at his father, completely at a loss for words. He silently prayed that his father would speak up, tell them no, his son was not going anywhere\u2026but Ben remained silent, and the silence broke the boy\u2019s heart. Slowly, Joe lowered his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow long would I have to be gone?\u201d he muttered softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor as long as you\u2019d like, son,\u201d Sam rush in to say. \u201cYou could go to school back east, we have some mighty fine schools you know\u2026just ask Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced Adam\u2019s way. His brother wore a strange look that surprised him. Adam cleared his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, there are some good schools back east, but ours are very fine\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they lack so much\u2026they don\u2019t have the proper books, the outstanding libraries\u2026why, Little Joe could even go to a military school if he desired to do so. Or he could study law\u2026or be a doctor\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, now, my dear, we have to let Joseph make up his own mind. Joe\u2026if you agree to come live to me for at least a year\u2026I\u2019ll see to it that you have the finest of everything\u2026schooling, horses, friends\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already have those things\u2026here,\u201d Little Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes\u2026I didn\u2019t mean to imply that you didn\u2019t. But you could have so much more\u2026the city is a wonderful place to live. There is so much to do there\u2026there is the opera\u2026I bet you\u2019ve never even see a ballet, have you?\u201d Sam asked.<\/p>\n

Little Joe shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr seen a real stage play\u2026or seen the equestrian shows\u2026there\u2019s the piers with all the big ships\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe glanced at his father and found that Ben was watching him. He swallowed hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this what you want me to do, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben took a deep breath. His heart was in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not up to me, son. It has to be your decision\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father said last night, Joe, that it would be a wonderful opportunity for you,\u201d Sam hinted.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his cousin and then swept his eyes around the table, taking in each expression on each individual face. It was impossible to know what his father or Adam was thinking. They hid their true feelings so well. Hoss was still grinning, and Joe wondered if he really should go\u2026the girl was practically drooling with hope and for sure her father wanted to make the trade. A daughter for a son, Joe briefly wondered if child swapping was legal. He wondered if he agreed to the arrangement, if his father would miss him, or his brothers\u2026probably not, he mentally reasoned\u2026not from the looks on their faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d Sam asked, interrupting Joe\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026I\u2019m not sure\u2026may I think on it for a while?\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

Everyone swapped quick glances. He heard the air rush from his father\u2019s lungs and turned so that he could his father\u2019s face. Ben smiled at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course you may,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut could we have your answer this afternoon? I really need to make arrangements\u2026coach fare you know\u2026\u201d stated Sam.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s lips were pulled tightly together as he nodded his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir\u2026this afternoon\u2026after school\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned to his father. He fought back the tears that threatened to overflow. Pushing back his chair and rising, he excused himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna be late if\u2019n I don\u2019t hurry,\u201d he said and then ran for the door.<\/p>\n

Outside, Little Joe sucked in a chest full of the fresh morning air. His heart beat wildly as he raced toward the barn. He had to get out of there\u2026quick\u2026he had to find some place to hide\u2026so that he could think and form some kind of an answer\u2026for one was expected before supper, tonight.<\/p>\n

Ben was standing in the yard, unsaddling his horse when Miss Jones\u2019 buggy rolled to a stop. Turning quickly to greet the schoolmarm, a feeling of dread washing over him, he extended his hand to aide the lady in getting down.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood afternoon, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d Abigail greeted the worried father.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfternoon, Miss Jones\u2026what brings you out this way?\u201d<\/p>\n

Abigail snickered softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do I usually pay you a visit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Abigail nodded her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed deeply. \u201cWhat\u2019s he done this time?\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Jones pulled a white piece of paper from her purse and handed it to Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all in here\u2026perhaps I should just leave it with you\u2026let you read it alone. You\u2019ll know what to do. I\u2019m sorry, Mr. Cartwright\u2026\u201d Abigail\u2019s voice took on a note of remorse and concern. \u201cBut Joseph just hasn\u2019t been himself\u2026for days now\u2026I honestly feel as if something is troubling the boy\u2026and his behavior\u2026he\u2019s never acted this naughty before. It\u2019s as if he doesn\u2019t care about\u2026anything. Maybe you should\u2026please forgive me for saying this\u2026but\u2026maybe you should spend more time with the boy\u2026lately he seems\u2026lost\u2026yes\u2026that\u2019s the word\u2026lost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abigail turned to leave. Ben held the note in his hand, stunned by the teacher\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright, I heard Joseph telling Mitch Devlin this afternoon, that he was going away\u2026for a very long time\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s head popped up, acutely aware of the teacher\u2019s words.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI said, Joseph stated that he would be going away, soon\u2026back east, I believe he said. When I asked him why\u2026he just got very sullen and wouldn\u2019t say anything else. But he looked so\u2026sad\u2026heartbroken. Mr. Cartwright\u2026is\u2026everything alright at home\u2026here, I mean. Is\u2026oh\u2026forgive me\u2026it\u2019s really none of my business\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I mean, yes\u2026I\u2019m really not sure, Miss Jones. Little Joe has been acting odd; I\u2019ll agree\u2026I\u2019ll have a talk with him later\u2026after I read this. Please, don\u2019t worry, things will be fine, I assure you. Thank you for coming out\u2026though I\u2019m sorry you had to make such a long trip.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s alright, Mr. Cartwright, I didn\u2019t mind. Please\u2026tell Adam I dropped by\u2026and give him my regards, if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all, he\u2019ll be sorry he missed your visit,\u201d Ben said, knowing full well that the man in question was hiding himself inside the barn, watching and waiting until the old maid teacher had left.<\/p>\n

Ben slid down from his horse and quickly tied the reins to a low hanging branch next to where Joe\u2019s horse stood. He knew that this would be the first place his son would run to; he always did when troubled. His mother\u2019s grave was a source of strength for the boy and Ben was not surprised to find his son there now. He was surprised though to see the boy lying sprawled across the soft mound of grass. A moment of panic seized his heart. Was the boy injured? Frantically, he scrambled over the mound and reached down, turning the boy onto his back.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben muttered in a strained voice.<\/p>\n

Eyes, reddened by the tears that stained his face, opened slowly. It was several long moments before recognition registered on the boy\u2019s face. Ben continued to hold the boy gently in his arms, waiting.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled warmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I must have fallen to sleep,\u201d Joe said almost shyly.<\/p>\n

Ben helped the boy into a sitting position and studied his son\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Pa\u2026I shouldn\u2019t have run off like I done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben made himself comfortable by sitting down next to Joe and propping his back against his wife\u2019s headstone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did you, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shrugged his shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s no answer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026I mean\u2026I don\u2019t know\u2026I just\u2026had to\u2026get away, I\u2026guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe\u2026what\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing? I don\u2019t believe that. You\u2019ve been acting\u2026strange now for weeks\u2026even your teacher has said as much. She thinks something is wrong\u2026at home\u2026between us, you and I.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe quickly glanced over at his father.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d she know?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben held his breath\u2026so there is something wrong\u2026between us, he thought to himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess she could just tell\u2026was she correct, son\u2026is there something wrong between you and I?\u201d Ben questioned.<\/p>\n

Joe lowered his head\u2026how could he tell his father what was eating away at him? How could he tell his father that he didn\u2019t want to go away\u2026when he knew that Ben wanted him to take advantage of the opportunity? How could he tell his father that he was\u2026was\u2026jealous of the snip of a girl who had pushed her way into their lives and that he feared he had lost his father forever? No\u2026he couldn\u2019t tell his father that\u2026nor would he! He\u2019d opt for changing the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to take Sam up on his offer,\u201d he said with bated breath.<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s dark brows rose slightly. \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir\u2026I think it would be good for me\u2026to experience new places, meet new people\u2026see different places.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe rose to his feet and walked a short distance away from his father. He kept his back turned, so Ben would not see the tears that burned his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that what you really want to do, son\u2026leave the Ponderosa\u2026leave\u2026us?\u201d stammered Ben, shocked at his son\u2019s statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t be leaving for good\u2026it\u2019ll sort of be like when Adam went away. I\u2019ll only be gone for a year or so, not four, like Adam\u2026the time will pass so quickly, you won\u2019t even have time to miss me before it\u2019ll be time for me to come home\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben heard the catch in Joe\u2019s voice and moved to stand in front of the boy. Joe tried to turn away, but Ben\u2019s hands on his shoulders prevented him from doing so.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would miss you if you were gone only a day. In fact\u2026I miss you each and every morning when you leave for school. I was\u2026sort of looking forward to the time when you wouldn\u2019t be going to school any longer and you\u2019d be staying at home, working with me\u2026and your brothers, on the ranch. But\u2026if you really want to go with Sam\u2026I\u2026I\u2026won\u2019t stop you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes had misted but the tears had yet to overflow. His chin quivered slightly and his eyes grew wide.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2026miss me\u2026even when I\u2019m just in\u2026school?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery day! Honest?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHonest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019d miss me a bunch if I went back east?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTerribly\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe swallowed the thickness in his throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d be sad?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExtremely so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down. With his toe, he dug at the soft earth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t want to be the cause of you being sad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched how the boy struggled with his emotions, trying hard not to break down. Tenderly, using his fingertips, he raised the quivering chin so that he could look into the tear filled emerald eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph, you\u2019ve never made me sad\u2026not once. I know I\u2019ve been angry with you, at times. But not one day your whole life, have you given me reason to be sad. Not in the least\u2026on the other hand, you have brought more happiness and more joy into my life than I could have ever hoped for. I love you more than you can ever know\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than if I had been a girl, a daughter?\u201d stammered Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cA girl\u2026a daughter? Joseph\u2026is that what all of this is about? Because you think I want a daughter\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were willing to trade Sam\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHAT!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you\u2026I know I shouldn\u2019t have been listening\u2026but\u2026a fair trade\u2026that\u2019s what you said\u2026a son for a daughter\u2026a\u2026a\u2026I\u2026thought\u2026you\u2026didn\u2019t love me\u2026anymore\u2026because I\u2026wasn\u2019t a\u2026girl!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026I can\u2019t believe what I\u2019m hearing\u2026you actually thought that I would \u2018trade\u2019 my son for a daughter? That\u2019s the most ridiculous thing I\u2019ve ever heard. I just told you how much I loved you, how sad I\u2019d been if you left\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cNever mind what I said\u2026just answer me one question\u2026do you really want to go back east with Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d sobbed Joe as he flung himself into his father\u2019s arms. \u201cI wanna stay here\u2026with you\u2026please, Pa\u2026don\u2019t make me go\u2026I\u2019ll be good, honest\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s arms automatically wrapped themselves about the boy whom he loved more than life and held him tightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going to make you go any where you don\u2019t want to go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of question is that,\u201d Ben smiled as he gently pushed back Joe\u2019s head so that he could see the boy\u2019s face. \u201cHaven\u2019t you heard a word I\u2019ve said? I want you at home, with me and Adam and Hoss\u2026and Hop Sing\u2026where you belong\u2026not far away in some big city where you\u2019d most likely get lost\u2026or worse\u2026get yourself into some kind of trouble!\u201d laughed Ben.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen you really are glad I\u2019m a boy\u2026and not a girl?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood\u2026cause girls are silly, laughing and giggling all the time\u2026and they\u2019re sissies\u2026afraid of bugs and frogs\u2026they really aren\u2019t much use, are they, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben laughed. \u201cI suppose if I were your age, I\u2019d think so too, but I promise you, son, you won\u2019t always feel that way\u2026some day, when you\u2019re older, you\u2019ll feel differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou suppose so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can guarantee it!\u201d smiled Ben, knowingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know about that, Pa\u2026we\u2019ll just have to wait until I\u2019m older to find out. But, Pa\u2026what are we going to do about Sam and Cousin Emily? I mean\u2026she sure is gonna be disappointed cause she won\u2019t be staying on\u2026and Sam\u2026he really thinks I want to go with him\u2026what are we gonna do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, first, you\u2019re going to tell Sam thank you for the offer, but you decline. Then, I\u2019m going to invite the both of them to stay\u2026for as long as they\u2019d like\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what\u2019s wrong with that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, I suppose,\u201d Joe said, turning his head.<\/p>\n

He just wanted them gone\u2026as far away as they could get.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAw\u2026dadburnit\u2026I don\u2019t want them here any more. I want them to go\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph\u2026why on earth not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause\u2026I\u2026I\u2026I just don\u2019t like them\u2026that\u2019s why! Especially\u2026her!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben suppressed his laughter. He could see the deep green hue of his son\u2019s eyes and knew that the green-eyed monster had struck again. In spite of his efforts, he chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe demanded, surprised to see his father grinning at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve been bitten, haven\u2019t you? Your whole behavior over the last several weeks is all because you\u2019ve been bitten!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBitten\u2026I don\u2019t get it\u2026I ain\u2019t been bitten by anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yes you have,\u201d laughed Ben. \u201cCome on\u2026let\u2019s see if we can get your little problem taken care of.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben ushered his son toward the waiting horses. As they mounted up, Ben still wore his grin.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d said Joe as he scratched his arm and then his head. \u201cWhat\u2019cha think bit me\u2026all of a sudden I\u2019ve got an itch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe green-eyed monster,\u201d laughed Ben, spurring his horse into action.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe what? The green-eyed monster\u2026Pa\u2026wait up\u2026what\u2019s a green-eyed monster!\u201d shouted Joe as he too, urged his mount into a trot so as to catch up with his father.<\/p>\n

Ben glanced back, slowing just enough to allow his son to catch up with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it bad, Pa\u2026being bit by this green-eyed monster?\u201d quizzed Joe as they rode together side by side.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if you let it be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you don\u2019t\u2026but you will, when you\u2019re\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sighed. \u201cI know\u2026when I\u2019m older\u2026why does everything depend on when I\u2019m older?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe spurred his mount and raced away\u2026calling over his shoulder to his father who had pulled his big buckskin to a stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast one home is a green-eyed monster\u2026whatever that is!\u201d<\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n

March 2005<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0Little Joe’s been bitten by something his Pa calls the green-eyed monster. He isn’t quite sure what it is, but he knows he’s not feeling to well because of it.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (10,800 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9052,"featured_media":1231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[23,1008,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-prequels","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/storm.jpg?fit=615%2C407&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9052"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12315"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12315\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}