{"id":12745,"date":"2003-12-23T19:33:58","date_gmt":"2003-12-24T00:33:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12745"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:14:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:14:51","slug":"together-by-robin-ginnyf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12745","title":{"rendered":"Together (by Robin & GinnyF)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: <\/span>a WHN for “A Stranger Passed This Way”<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (6,330 words)<\/p>\n

Together<\/strong><\/p>\n

This picks up \u201cA Stranger Passed This Way\u201d at the point where Ben returns to the Ponderosa to let Adam and Joe know about Hoss\u2019s amnesia, and reflects the following events from the point of view of Hoss\u2019s family.<\/p>\n

********<\/p>\n

Almost sunset. I\u2019ll be home in about half an hour, and I still don\u2019t know how to explain things to Adam and Joe. I know they won\u2019t want to go along with it. I\u2019m not even sure I understand what the doctor was telling me, or that I even agree with him. I can\u2019t decide, for sure, what I\u2019m going to do\u2019 till the Vandervorts and Hoss get there, and I can be around him, and see his reactions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, gid\u2019up, Buck. Sandy Creek is just ahead. You can get a drink there. Just that last, uphill stretch on the ranch road and we\u2019ll be home. As much as I\u2019d like to, we can\u2019t just stand here in the middle of the trail.\u201d<\/p>\n

As I rode home, I resolved to try to do what the doctor said was best for Hoss. However, it warred with my father\u2019s instinct to keep my son close; that I knew better then these strangers what he needed.<\/p>\n

Joe reacted as I was afraid he would. \u201cPa! How can you let Hoss just go off with those people? He should be here, where we can help him get his memory back! He paced the length of the room, shouting. \u201cWe could never see him again! \u201c Why can\u2019t you tell him that he\u2019s Hoss Cartwright, and we\u2019re his family, and he lives here, on the Ponderosa?\u201d He waved his arms, almost knocking over the lamp by my chair. \u201c We\u2019re supposed to visit with the Vandervorts and our own brother, like he\u2019s a total stranger passing through? Then watch him ride away without being able to tell him good-bye as a brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam calmly crossed his arms and looked me in the eye. \u201cJoe\u2019s right, Pa.\u201d
\nCounting on my eldest to see the logic in what I was telling them about amnesia., I hadn\u2019t foreseen him agreeing with his more emotional brother.<\/p>\n

At the end of my rope emotionally, my composure had reached its limit. \u201cThere\u2019ll be no discussion about this! They\u2019ll be here soon, and you\u2019ll both do as you\u2019re told!\u201d Joe stopped his pacing, and Adam dropped his arms to his side. Both stared at me with stunned expressions. I forced myself to calm down. \u201cI may have to watch Hoss ride away without being able to tell him good-bye as his father! Just do as I say. I\u2019m going in the kitchen to talk to Hop Sing, then I\u2019ll be upstairs. Tell me when they arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Somehow, we got through supper. Hoss was the only one able to do justice to his favorite meal of chicken and dumplings. A man couldn\u2019t be any prouder of his sons than I was of Adam and Joe that evening. Despite their misgivings, they complied with my decision.. Their acting prowess would have done credit to some of the theatrical companies that have appeared at Piper\u2019s Opera House. Adam and I tried to make some semblance of conversation for appearances sake. Joe didn\u2019t say anything, which maybe, was, for the best.<\/p>\n

One of the Vandervort\u2019s horses had been favoring his right front leg. After supper, Hoss went to the barn to tend it. I suggested that Adam and Joe accompany him. I wanted to make another attempt at reasoning with Christina Vandervort. I was quite sure that Joe would lose his temper . I even doubted that Adam could remain calm and control his tongue in negotiating with this woman. Her husband clearly didn\u2019t approve of what she was doing, trying to replace their dead son with Hoss, but he would go along with whatever she wanted. Klaas Vandervort desperately wanted to see his wife happy again, even at my family\u2019s expense.<\/p>\n

Mr. Vandervort and I had been sitting by the fire, both of us smoking our pipes, an awkward silence between us. I approached Mrs. Vandervort as she came through the room after getting a drink of water in the kitchen. \u201c Please, sit down. We need to talk some more about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried to brush me off. \u201cAch! Please, Mr. Cartwright. You agreed. Are you going to go back on your word?\u201d She strode determinedly toward the stairs, not looking at me. \u201c Come, Papa! We must get to bed so we can be leaving at sunrise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her husband stood and motioned to the settee. \u201cChristina. Set down here and listen to what Mr. Cartwright has to say. How can you be so cruel as to not even listen?\u201d He didn\u2019t raise his voice to his wife, but his stern tone left no doubt that he intended to be obeyed. She stopped in her tracks, and dropped onto the settee.<\/p>\n

I had started to go sit on the table in front of the settee, but thought better of it, and kept my distance from her. I found myself leaning forward in my chair as I spoke.
\n\u201cMrs. Vandervort, I don\u2019t intend on going back on my word. But I\u2019m imploring you to stay another day to give Hoss a chance to maybe recognize something. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s being unreasonable when we\u2019re talking about a man\u2019s life, his future.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Vandervort nervously smoothed her apron as she listened, then clutched the material, as if she needed to hang onto something. \u201cWhat if one more day doesn\u2019t help? Then what will you do? Ask for another day, then another? Is it being unreasonable to want to get to Michigan before winter?\u201d She fixed me with her cold stare.<\/p>\n

We were interrupted when the door opened and Joe stalked in . He glared around the room and opened his mouth as if to say something, but I caught his eye. I held my breath, praying that my youngest son wouldn\u2019t blurt out some angry, confrontational remark. He looked away from me and ran his fingers through his tangled curls. \u201c I\u2019m going up to bed. Adam and Hoss \u2018ill be in soon. Night, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Vandervort.\u201d He nodded curtly and withdrew up the stairs without so much as a glance over his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust one more day. I know the importance of being at your destination before winter sets in. One more day won\u2019t make a difference in your travel. That\u2019s all I\u2019m asking, just one more day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Throughout the conversation Klaus Vandervort hadn\u2019t said a word; just sat there smoking his pipe. . He glared sternly at his wife, but the words he was about to say were left unspoken. Adam and Hoss came in from the barn. Adam stopped at the bottom of the staircase and looked around the room. \u201cIf everyone will excuse me, I\u2019m going to turn in. Goodnight, Mr. and Mrs. Vandervort. Pa.\u201d And here his tongue stumbled, \u201cHendrick\u201d.<\/p>\n

Hoss started to follow. \u201cI\u2019ll need to get up extra early to take a look at Hans\u2019s leg. So, if nobody minds, I better turn in, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Please sit down, Hendrick. I\u2019d like to talk to you for a minute\u201d. Like Adam, my tongue stumbled over that name. I took a seat in on the coffee table facing Hoss who sat on the settee. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Adam look directly at his brother. I prayed that my oldest son stayed silent as I made my next attempt to draw Hoss back to us.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Vandervorts told me that you had a blow to your head and have lost your memory, that you don\u2019t know who you are. What if someone could tell you all this, who you are, where you come from?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI, I don\u2019t rightly know, Mr. Cartwright. I don\u2019t reckon I\u2019ve thought about it. When I try to remember anything, I get a sick feelin\u2019 and my head aches something fierce.\u201d Hoss\u2019s face skewed up in pain as we spoke, and he put his head in his hands. \u201cTalkin\u2019 about it now, is bringin\u2019 one of those headaches on..<\/p>\n

My heart lurched at the distress reflected on my son\u2019s face. I felt like I was being torn in half. This was my last chance to try to get through this stranger to my middle son. But, seeing the pain in those blue eyes, so like his mother\u2019s, I couldn\u2019t do it. I couldn\u2019t inflect such suffering on my son. No matter what the reason. I\u2019ll never know where I got the strength to say, \u201cIt\u2019s all right. Go on up to bed, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Vandervort watched Hoss mount the stairs, then turned to me. \u201cWe\u2019ll be leaving in the morning as planned, Mr. Cartwright. Goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Klass Vandervort rose to follow his wife to the downstairs guest room. \u201cMr. Cartwright. I promise you. If your son regains his memory, we will make sure he has means to get back home to you. Goodnight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he will, Pa?\u201d Adam said in a voice barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n

\u201cSend him back to us? Of course, Mr. Vandervort said he would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I mean do you think Hoss will ever regain his memory?\u201d<\/p>\n

Later that night, lying awake in my bed, hindsight took over. I saw a solemn, dark-eyed little boy sitting on my lap and clinging to my neck as I tried to explain to him what had happened to his mother. I saw that same little boy, a few years older, standing beside a grave on the prairie , clutching my hand. Then I sawthe little boy, grown into a young man, standing beside another grave. This time, his hands were being clutched by a younger tow-headed boy and a small, curly-headed child. The picture in my mind\u2019s eye shifted again, and the young man had matured. But, the same dark eyes were gazing at me, again full of hurt, as I told him that one of his brothers could be as good as dead to<\/p>\n

I was awakened by the first rays of the sun slanting into my window and into my eyes. I dressed quickly, not taking time to shave. I knew I wouldn\u2019t have another chance to appeal to Christina Vandervort, but I was hoping for a few minutes alone with Hoss I had to make one last try at helping him remember something, anything. I looked in on Adam and Joe on my way down the hall. They both were sound asleep, or appeared to be. I had heard Joe get up and go downstairs in the early hours of the morning. I had debated with myself about following him, but then heard Adam\u2019s footsteps on the stairs. I laid awake listening for their return. When I heard the sound I was waiting for, I relaxed a little and finally dozed off.<\/p>\n

Hoss had nearly finished washing up when I tentatively knocked on his door. My stomach was tied in knots. I didn\u2019t want to see him as upset as he was the previous evening. His mental and physical anguish had torn my heart out. But he would be leaving, for the Lord only knew how long; maybe forever, so I took a chance. \u201cMorning, Hoss\u201d I made my voice as hearty as I could manage.<\/p>\n

He looked up from the wash basin, puzzled. \u201cMornin\u2019, Mr. Cartwright. What was that you called me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss. It\u2019s a mountain term for a big man. A friend.\u201d I rushed to explain. That seemed to please him, that I would refer to him as a friend. He smiled shyly at me and ducked his head. I was on the verge of saying something I would probably regret, when, thankfully, he changed the subject.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry I\u2019m takin\u2019 so long. I hated to get out of that comfortable bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

I looked at the oversize bed, and thought of the day I had ordered it. \u201cYes, it is comfortable. I had it specially made. We should go down to breakfast. The Vandervorts are probably up and eager to be on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComin\u2019. Mr. Cartwright. Just let me grab my vest.\u201d<\/p>\n

As I moved back, and turned, I bumped into the stand where I had placed Inger\u2019s daguerreotype the night before. I had hoped, irrationally, that Inger could bring our son back to me. It crashed to the floor and the glass from the frame shattered. Hoss dropped his vest, and turned to me, a look of intense hatred on his face. He grabbed me, and drew his arm back, his hand making a fist. \u201cPick that up! You pick that up!\u201d He spoke through clenched lips, his tone as menacing as his gigantic fist poised to smash into my face. I could only stare at him,dazed.<\/p>\n

Hoss, suddenly looked at me, then back to his raised fist, his face a study in confusion and horror.. \u201cPa! What? \u201c He let go of me and dropped his fist. His expression turned to one of shame. \u201cPa, I was going to hit you! Pa, I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019ve never raised my hand to you. Why was I \u2026.?\u201d He couldn\u2019t seem to find the words to finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, son! Forget it for now. I\u2019ll explain everything later\u201d I was beside myself with a joy that I couldn\u2019t let Hoss see. The boy was confused enough. \u201cDon\u2019t wake your brothers. They didn\u2019t get much sleep last night. I\u2019ll explain that later, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, Pa. But\u2026..?\u201d<\/p>\n

Please, Hoss, just do as I ask. I promise, I\u2019ll explain everything in a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight, Pa. I\u2019ll clean this glass up and be right down.\u201d<\/p>\n

I had my middle son back. My heart seemed fifty pounds lighter than it had for days. I felt like sliding down the banister like a child. I managed to compose myself and walked downstairs instead of flying. I was halfway down when Mrs. Vandervort entered the house. I must not have been successful at hiding my happiness. As soon as she saw me, she seemed to became apprehensive. She looked up at me where I stood on the steps. \u201cIs something the matter, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d She twisted her apron in her hands, a nervous habit I had come to find annoying . \u201cMr. Cartwright? Is something wrong with Hendrick?\u201d<\/p>\n

Before I could answer, Hoss called down from upstairs, \u201cHey! Pa! Who\u2019s wagon is that out there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mrs. Vandervort looked up the stairs, her face suddenly pale and her eyes wide in alarm. Mr. Vandervort had joined his wife, and stood holding her by the arm, as if to keep her from falling, or from bolting up the stairs I wanted to feel compassion for this woman, but somehow I couldn\u2019t. She knew what it was to lose a son, yet, she was rationalizing to herself why she should have the right to take a son from me.<\/p>\n

Hoss came ambling down, amiable and hungry, like any other morning. He curiously greeted out guests. Mrs. Vandervort had regained her composure and was able to smile when introduced to Hoss. She explained to the man who she had tried to make her son that they had stopped to ask directions and I had kindly invited them to breakfast, but they had to be on their way and couldn\u2019t stay.<\/p>\n

Later, Hoss and I stood in the yard and watched the Vandervorts wagon turn the corner of the barn and roll out of sight. I said a silent prayer that Christina Vandervort would find peace back in Michigan, with her friends around her.<\/p>\n

Although, I wanted to clutch Hoss to me like a small child that had been lost then found, I contented myself with throwing my arm around his shoulder as we turned back to the house. I couldn\u2019t resist giving that strong shoulder a squeeze as I felt my mouth stretching into a wide smile. I felt as I did that afternoon twenty-five years ago as I sat in the back of our wagon and Inger placed this son in my arms for the first time.
\n*********<\/p>\n

We have only the word of a doctor we know nothing about that this is the best thing for Hoss. A country doctor. Does he have any first hand knowledge of amnesia, or is he just quoting from something he read in a medical journal? We need time to find a doctor who has had experience in treating amnesia. Time for Paul Martin to send out telegrams to doctors back East. Time for him to search for information in medical journals. Christiana Vandervort is refusing us that needed time. Ultimately it will be Hoss, whom she claims to love as a son, who will pay the price of her bitterness.
\nThe desolation in Pa\u2019s voice as he talked about watching Hoss ride away seemed to affect Joe more than Pa\u2019s yelling had. I know it wrenched at my gut. Joe sank onto the settee, his head in his hands. I sat on the coffee table in front of him. \u201cJoe, listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

He reached for one of the pillows on the settee and hugged it to him, the way a child might seek comfort in a stuffed toy. He wouldn\u2019t look up, keeping his eyes on the pillow as he spoke. \u201cYou know I\u2019m right. You told Pa that I was.\u201d<\/p>\n

I put my hand on his knee, hoping the gesture would get him to look at me. He raised his head and met my eyes. The misery I saw there reflected my feelings. \u201cHoss is our brother, but he\u2019s Pa\u2019s son. If it\u2019s this hard on us, think of how much harder it is on him. You\u2019re right, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s what we should do. I don\u2019t think Pa is sure, himself. But he made up his mind to take the doctor\u2019s advice, for good or bad. He needs us to go along without argument even if we don\u2019t understand why.. You and I\u2019ll talk more about this later. Right now we\u2019ve got to both pull ourselves together so when they get here we can act as naturally as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, reluctantly. He got up and went to the liquor cabinet and got a bottle of brandy. Without saying a word, he held the bottle up in my direction. I joined him and picked up two glasses.<\/p>\n

My brother looked at me with more fear on his face than I had ever seen there. With a hoarse whisper he said, “And Pa better be right, Adam. Pa better be right.” He hesitated for a moment and then splashed a measure of the fiery liquid into each glass.. He pushed one glass at me and, with a trembling hand lifted his own in a toast,” To our brother Hoss.”<\/p>\n

\u201cTo Hoss,\u201d I repeated, while we clinked glasses.
\nI assumed that Pa had two good reasons to send us along to the barn with Hoss. No doubt, he wanted to speak with the Vandervorts alone to make one more appeal to them. Perhaps, if they saw him in his own home, with his family around him, they would reconsider their plan to take him to Michigan. Second, Pa might have hoped that if the three of us were working together something would click in his mind. Just maybe, being in the barn he helped build, it would all come back He\u2019d remember that he was Hoss Cartwright.<\/p>\n

Chubb pricked up his ears and whinnied at his owner\u2019s familiar scent.
\nHoss went to the big black and patted his neck. \u201cThat\u2019s sure a handsome animal. Friendly too.\u201d He laughed as Chubb snorted and nuzzled him contentedly. \u201cHe\u2019s sure takin\u2019 to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe watched them with a hopeful smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I better get to work on old Hans here.\u201d Hoss gave Chubb one last pat and turned to the Vandervort\u2019s horse. \u201cCould you fellas get me some liniment and rags and a bucket?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face fell and he settled himself gloomily on a feed box. I managed to get a grip on my own disappointment. I started to get the liniment, bucket, and rags. Then I remembered that Hoss had cooked up some special salve for the livestock. He insisted it worked better than liniment for healing pulled muscles because it was thick and stuck to the animal and didn\u2019t run off. The problem was, it had a nasty smell that he claimed was an important part of the cure. The last time he cooked up a batch Hop Sing went crazy and threatened to clobber him with his soup ladle if he stunk up his kitchen again. Maybe that would be the key to opening the memories locked in his head. It was not only something very familiar to Hoss, but something special to him. There was half a crock left and I quickly handed it to him. \u201cTry this. It\u2019s better than liniment. It\u2019s a special mixture.\u201d<\/p>\n

He undid the lid and the harsh order wafted out. He sniffed and shuddered. \u201cWhat is this stuff?\u201d Then he frowned, cocking his head and closing his eyes. For a fraction of a second, I thought he recognized the concoction. Then he clamped the lid back on and handed me the crock. \u201cNo thanks. I\u2019d really rather use the liniment, if it ain\u2019t a bother.\u201d<\/p>\n

I went to get what he requested. When I returned from the supply room, Joe wasn\u2019t in the barn.<\/p>\n

Whatever else the amnesia did to Hoss\u2019s memory, it didn\u2019t take away his skill with ailing stock. As I leaned against the stall and watched, it seemed like many other evenings, the two of in the barn with an injured or sick animal.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he should be all right by morning. Thanks for your help.\u201d He patted the brown horse on his rump and stood up stretching. \u201cI\u2019m bone tired. We got a long way to go tomorrow. I better turn in.\u201d \u201cLooks like your brother went to the house. Hope I see him in the morning before we leave. Kind\u2019a quiet fella, ain\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n

. \u201cYou\u2019ll have to excuse him. He\u2019s not himself. He lost a good friend recently.\u201d Later, in bed, unable to sleep, I thought about how true my words were.
\nI lit the lamp on the table beside my bed. What had awakened me? The grandfather clock downstairs striking the hour, or was it something else? There it was! The sound of boots on the plank floor. I quickly dressed and went downstairs. The only light down there was from the banked fire. On a hunch, I went outside. Lantern light glowed from the open barn door. I entered the barn to find Joe murmuring soothingly to Chubb as he wielded a curry comb.<\/p>\n

\u201cKind of a strange time to be grooming a horse, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Joe jumped a mile at the sound of my voice, then rounded on me.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it, Adam! You know better than to sneak up on a man like that! What are you doing out here at this hour, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

I wasn\u2019t going to let him turn the tables on me. \u201cMe! What are you doing out here at this time of night?\u201d Then a suspicion came over me. \u201cJoe, if you\u2019re thinking of doing something idiotic, forget it! We have to play this out Pa\u2019s way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s defiant glare turned into a guilty frown. He hunkered down beside me, where I sat on the feedbox, his eyes glued to his boots.. \u201cJust hear me out before you say anything, Adam.\u201d I listened, without interrupting, to my youngest brothers scheme to kidnap our brother and take him to one of the lineshacks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I layed there in bed, all pleased with myself and my heroic plan. But a little voice kept pushing into my head..\u201d Joe shook his head and smiled sheepishly. \u201cThat little voice asked me just what the heck I thought I was going to do? How was I gong to keep Hoss at the line shack once we got there?. And, the biggest question of all, what kind of miracle was going to give him his memory back before Pa and you found us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got dressed and came down meaning to sit on the porch for awhile and try to clear my head. It was spinnin\u2019 in all directions. Next thing I know, I\u2019m here in the barn. Old Chubb\u2019s ears picked up and his nostrils twitched when I came in.\u201d Joe went back to Chubb\u2019s stall, and started to scratch behind the gelding\u2019s ears. \u201cAdam, I swear, that horse looked downright heart broken when he realized it wasn\u2019t Hoss that came in. I started to curry him just to give him some attention. He looked so lonesome. It kind of helped me, too. Like I was doin\u2019 something for Hoss.\u201d
\nI thought of what I had witnessed earlier that evening. I picked up the curry comb that Joe had discarded and picked up where he left off. \u201cWhen Pa first explained the situation with Hoss I felt the same way you did. That letting him go with the Vandervorts was the wrong thing to do. How he could make a decision like that. After you went up to bed tonight, Pa asked Hoss if he would want to know who he was , where he came from if someone told him. Hoss said he couldn\u2019t think about it. Everytime he did, he got sick to his stomach and an agonizing headache. You could see it coming over him as Pa talked. I couldn\u2019t stand the pain on his face. It had to have been worse for Pa to see him like that. Besides, how would he stop them? Tie Hoss up and run the Vandervorts off at gunpoint? How would that help Hoss? Whether we like it or not, it\u2019s out of our hands. Mr. Vandervort seems like a kind man. A fair man. If\u2026. When, Hoss gets his memory back, he\u2019ll see that he gets back to us.
\n********<\/p>\n

My mind is filled with memories. Hoss teaching me to fight, to track, to find water in the desert, to make a fire with a piece of glass and a handful of dry grass. Hoss, Adam, and me working the ranch together, having a beer together, conspiring against each other, bickering, even fighting. But no matter what, even after the conspiring, the bickering, the fighting, we\u2019re brothers. I know that technically we\u2019re half-brothers. But we\u2019ve never thought of us that way. We\u2019re brothers. The three of us.
\nI couldn\u2019t sleep a wink. I tossed and turned every which way. Finally, I got up. and yanked the quilt from my bed and draped it around my shoulders. I pulled a chair over to the window. The pines cast long shadows in the full moon. I could see an owl diving for its prey. Not far off, a coyote howled, causing the horses in the corral to stamp and snort uneasily.<\/p>\n

I clutched the quilt into my clinched fists and drew it closer around me. The familiar warmth of the old quilt was comforting.. I had dreamed about stealing my brother back from the Vandervorts. A crazy plan started to form in my exhausted mind. I got dressed and went to the barn with the intention of saddling Cochise and Chubb.<\/p>\n

The walk to the barn through the chilly night air helped me to think straight. Chubb stood forlornly in his stall, his eyes glued to the barn door waiting patiently for Hoss to come. I grabbed a curry comb and brush and started to work. Maybe this would help both of us feel a little bit better.<\/p>\n

\u201cA strange time to be grooming a horse, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

The sound of Adam\u2019s voice in the still barn startled me. I dropped the curry comb and twirled around . \u201cDamn it, Adam! You know better than to sneak up on a man like that! What are you doing out here at this hour, anyway?\u201d I tried to turn the tables on him, but it didn\u2019t work. .<\/p>\n

He sat on the feed box and eyed me like I was a rustler nosing around our herd. He started talking about how Pa felt, and about playing it out Pa\u2019s way. He even guessed that I had been thinking of doing something foolish. I found myself telling him about my dream..<\/p>\n

He took over currying Chubb. I stood at the horse\u2019s head and patted him and scratched behind his ears. Adam told me about Pa\u2019s attempt at getting through to Hoss. He looked sick, himself, when he described the painful look on our brother\u2019s face when Pa asked him if he would want to be told about himself. Hearing it made me feel like Adam looked. Before we went back into the house I grabbed Adam\u2019s shirt sleeve and stopped him at the door. \u201cI don\u2019t think I can stand to watch Hoss leave in the morning.\u201d I knew I sounded like a whining little kid, but I couldn\u2019t stop my words from coming out that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I can, either. But Pa\u2019s going to need us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam draped his arm around my shoulder and, together, we went inside and upstairs. He didn\u2019t let loose of me till we parted at our bedroom doors.
\n********<\/p>\n

My whole family\u2019s actin\u2019 like they\u2019re plumb crazy! Includin\u2019 me. I want to know what\u2019s goin\u2019 on around here. But after what happened this mornin\u2019, I\u2019m kind of afraid of findin\u2019 out.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t remember gettin\u2019 up that morning, and gettin\u2019 washed up and dressed. First thing I remember was I had my fist pulled back to hit my pa! I would never, ever! None of us would. There I stood in my room, my right arm pulled back, my hand in a fist, my left hand clamped ahold of Pa\u2019s arm. The daguerreotype of my mother that\u2019s usually on the stand by my bed, was shattered on the floor. I almost pounded Pa! He just patted my arm and told me it was all right! He was even smilin\u2019 like he was just appointed Territorial Governor! He said we\u2019d talk about it later, and went downstairs.<\/p>\n

He called me down to meet some folks who had stopped to ask directions. They seemed like nice people. They were Dutch, and they were goin\u2019 back to their old home in Holland, Michigan. Pa had invited them to stay for breakfast, but they said they had to be on their way. That must have been why Hop Sing was bakin\u2019 cinnamon rolls. We only have them for special occasions or when we have company.<\/p>\n

After we saw those folks off, Pa told me to go roust Adam and Joe out of bed. Now, I\u2019m used to havin\u2019 to haul Joe out of a morning, but Adam is usually the first one up, after Pa. Sometimes, he even beats Pa. I figured I\u2019d get Adam, first. He\u2019d be the easier to wake up, and he could help me roust Joe. I went up and knocked on his door. That\u2019s when the rest of the dadblamed craziness started.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey! Adam! What\u2019re you still doin\u2019 in bed? You think you\u2019re Joe?\u201d He was shavin\u2019 when I walked into his room. He whirled around to face me like he had heard a pistol cock behind his back. He stood stock still, starin\u2019 at me, his mouth hangin\u2019 open. Blood was startin\u2019 to seep from where he sliced his chin with the razor he was pointin\u2019 at me. I looked behind me to see what he was pointin\u2019 at. All I saw was the empty hallway.<\/p>\n

When I looked back at Adam, he was grinnin\u2019 at me the same way Pa had been . He didn\u2019t seem to notice the blood drippin\u2019 down his chin. I handed him the washcloth hangin\u2019 by his shavin\u2019 stand. \u201cUh, you\u2019re chin\u2019s bleedin\u2019. You must have cut yourself. What in tarnation is wrong with you this mornin\u2019, big brother? You was starin\u2019 at me like I sprouted another head overnight!\u201d He seemed to snap out of whatever it was. \u201cUh, I was? Yeah, I guess I was. I\u2019ll explain later. Come on. We better go drag Joe out.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was that \u201c later\u201d, again. I was beginnin\u2019 to get the peculiar feelin\u2019 that the explanation was nothing I wanted to hear.<\/p>\n

Adam put on his shirt, and we headed across the hall, with him still holdin\u2019 the wash cloth to his chin. He leaned against the door frame, grinnin\u2019 like a fool while I went into Joe\u2019s room. He was layin\u2019 on his stomach with the quilt pulled over his head , so I couldn\u2019t tell if he was asleep or awake. I couldn\u2019t resist the target. \u201cHey! Joe! Up and at \u2018em!\u201d I swatted him a good one on his backside. Joe was out of that bed like a shot, fists swingin\u2019. Then, like Adam had, he just stood there starin\u2019 at me, with his fists still in the air. Next thing I knew, he was jumpin\u2019 on me, yellin\u2019 like an Apache war party, and poundin\u2019 on my back. \u201cHoss! It\u2019s you! Yahoo! It\u2019s you!\u201d Who in Sam Hill did he think it would be? I finally got loose of him, no help from Adam, and dumped him on the bed. Adam came in and sat down in a chair that Joe had pulled up by his window. He winked at Joe, but, I swear both of them had tears in their eyes.<\/p>\n

Joe sat cross-legged on the bed, and kind\u2019a picked at the edge of his quilt. I could tell he had somethin\u2019 on his mind he wanted to say, but wasn\u2019t quite sure of. He aimed his words at Adam, but they seemed meant for both of us. \u201cAfter the last few days, I\u2019ve finally understood what Pa\u2019s been telling us every since I can remember. About family bein\u2019 the most important thing in life. More important than money, cattle, timber land, the whole Ponderosa. He said once, that sometimes, what you thought was real important, winds up being so insignificant, that you can hold it in the palm of your hand and blow it away like dandelion down. That life can turn around just that fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stretched out those long legs of his, and folded his arms across his chest, makin\u2019 himself comfortable in the chair. \u201cPa\u2019s always said nothing matters to him more than his sons. Even when Hoss was a baby, he always said what he wanted most in life was for his two sons to be there for each other. Uncle John and he were never close, and he didn\u2019t want us to grow up like that. Especially, since we were so far apart in age. Then when you came along, of course, he changed it to his three sons. His three sons. Together. No matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

I remembered when we made that pledge. It was right after Adam got home from college. Joe was about 9 or 10. Jimmy Peterson\u2019s pa had just died. Jimmy was about a year older than Joe, I think. His ma had died when he was born. Jimmy had three older sisters and two older brothers. The closest one to Jimmy\u2019s age was a little older than me. After their Pa\u2019s funeral they sold the ranch and all scattered every which way. None of them wanted to be bothered with Jimmy. They shipped him off to live with relatives he never met. Joe was worried about what would happen if Pa died while he was still a kid. We promised him that we would always be together, no matter what. He even made me and Adam take an oath and spit on our hands to seal it, before we shook on it.<\/p>\n

Joe came out of that strange, serious mood he was in, and laughed. \u201cSometimes\u201d, when you fellows give me a hard time over me not doing my share of chores, I\u2019m not so sure then about that \u201cno matter what. Or when we\u2019re coming to blows after a long winter. None of us are much for holding up any brotherly bonds for Pa\u2019s sake then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed too, and got to his feet. \u201cWe better get dressed and get down to breakfast. Hoss, go tell Pa that Joe and I\u2019ll be right there.\u201d<\/p>\n

I did as Adam told me. I hustled downstairs. I was hopin\u2019 that as soon as we were all at the table Pa\u2019d fill me in on what was goin\u2019 on around here. That conversation, just know, left me more puzzled than Adam and Joe\u2019s crazy actions. Whatever\u2019s goin\u2019 on around here, I want an explanation. Right quick!
\n********
\nWell, it\u2019s a relief to find out that my family\u2019s not all goin\u2019 loco! And that I\u2019m not either! That was a humdinger of a story Pa told me at breakfast. It must have been awful hard for him and Joe and Adam to have to treat me like a stranger.<\/p>\n

In bed that night, I tried to imagine how I\u2019d have felt if it was Joe or Adam. It kind of gave me a hollow feelin\u2019, just thinkin\u2019 about it. Now wonder they acted like crazy fellas when I went up to wake them. I could picture Pa standin\u2019 at the bottom of the steps listen\u2019 to all the ruckus, and grinnin\u2019 like a fool, himself.<\/p>\n

Everybody was walkin\u2019 on egg shells for awhile. Drivin\u2019 me crazy, askin\u2019 how I felt. Sometimes, I\u2019d catch Pa or Adam or Joe, just starin\u2019 at me like I was gonna disappear any minute. Especially, Pa.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve thought back a few times to that conversation in Joe\u2019s room that mornin\u2019. And I think about them bein\u2019 here, and me bein\u2019 in Michigan. I think somehow, the connection between us would still be there. We\u2019d all be together. No matter what.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: a WHN for “A Stranger Passed This Way”<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 K+ (6,330 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":10210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,1008,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","category-family","category-whn","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-13-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":879,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/serious-Hoss.jpg?fit=269%2C298&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3491,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3491","url_meta":{"origin":12745,"position":0},"title":"He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (by freyakendra)","author":"freyakendra","date":"July 5, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: When Hoss's life is hanging in the balance, Joe gives no thought to the limits of his own strength. 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Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9515,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=9515","url_meta":{"origin":12745,"position":4},"title":"Big Sisters, Little Brothers and Moving Mountains (by freyakendra)","author":"freyakendra","date":"August 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0 A lost little girl, a restless Little Joe and a hungry puma converge, sparking a story that explores what it means to have family looking out for you--or counting on you to look out for them. 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