{"id":14320,"date":"2017-05-18T20:06:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-19T00:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14320"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:11","slug":"fist-city-by-bluewindfarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14320","title":{"rendered":"Fist City (by BluewindFarm)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0 Gossips sour Ben\u2019s mood when he returns from a business trip; and he only wants to hear an explanation direct from the guilty party.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0(1,455 words)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Fist City<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright found his mind racing as events from earlier in the day replayed over and over.\u00a0 He had never imagined things could go so wrong.\u00a0 They were just supposed to pick up supplies and return home.\u00a0 Shaking his head, his only wish was that it would be more than just a few days before his father returned home and during the intervening time, the people would forget the fodder that surely would set tongues a-wagging about the Cartwrights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Slapping the mattress with both arms, he threw the blankets aside.\u00a0 Giving up on sleep, he grabbed a book from his night stand, walked downstairs, settled into a chair to the side of the massive fireplace in the great room, and began to read.\u00a0 So involved in the story of far-away lands, he failed to hear the horse entering the yard, nor the front door opening fifteen minutes later.<\/span><\/p>\n

Startled by the latch falling into place when the door closed, he realized he\u2019d forgotten to secure the house before attempting to retire earlier.\u00a0 His alarm was short-lived when the intruder was revealed as his father, and now he wished he\u2019d stayed upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unknowing of his silent observer, Ben leaned forward to untie the leather string from his leg before unbuckling the gun belt and removing it from his hips.\u00a0 Blowing out a frustrated breath, he wrapped the leather around the holster before setting it heavily on the side bureau.\u00a0 Shaking his head, Ben hung his hat from the pegs on the wall.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning, his eyebrows rose as he compressed his lips into a thin line at\u00a0seeing dark eyes peering over the top of a book watching him.\u00a0 \u201cAdam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWelcome home Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Wanting to appear nonchalant in hopes the hour had prevented his father from hearing what had happened.\u00a0 \u201cHow was your trip?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In a clipped response, \u201cThe Ponderosa won the contract.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing that tone, \u201cI take it\u2026.you heard?\u201d Adam asked, his way of cautiously testing the waters of his father\u2019s temper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cQuite difficult not to hear the gossip.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I can\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot one word Adam,\u201d Ben pointed a stern finger towards his eldest.\u00a0 \u201cPlenty of others were more than happy to tell me all about today.” \u00a0Lowering his hand, “Funny thing, no one mentioned your name during the whole debacle.\u00a0 And I find that surprising considering I specifically remember telling you that you were in charge when making the supply run.\u00a0 That means you were to keep an eye on everyone.\u201d \u00a0Arms crossed, he stopped in front of his son.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having stood as his father approached, \u201cI only stepped away for a few minutes, to run an errand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s temper flared. \u00a0\u201cBut you weren\u2019t there when it happened, were you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cThen I don\u2019t think you have anything to add.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not daring to look away from his father, \u201cNo sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou should retire to your room.”\u00a0 Ben uncrossed\u00a0his arms and moved his hands to his hips, “We\u2019ll continue this discussion in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Unsure whether he should be relieved at not having to endure any more of his\u00a0father’s inquisition and wrath, Adam marked the page in his book before heading for the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stopping at the mid-landing, \u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood night, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNight Pa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The time spent banking the fire and checking that the\u00a0windows and the doors were latched properly closed reduced some of his anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

All through the horrid stage trip from the big city, Ben\u2019s one sustaining thought was of a quiet evening at home with his family.\u00a0 To be through with foul-smelling passengers in cramped quarters, jostled from side to side on hard bench seats as the conveyance jolted over the uneven terrain.\u00a0 For better than three days he had dreamed, it took only moments after he stepped foot on the ground outside the depot for the vision to shatter.\u00a0 Yes, the gossips had been more than willing to tell all the details and admonish Ben for the transgression.<\/span><\/p>\n

At least now, surrounded by all he held dear, he hoped he could restrain himself; he needed to\u00a0speak rationally to get to the bottom of what happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Walking slowly along the upstairs hallway, he watched the light beneath Adam\u2019s door dim and finally extinguish.\u00a0 From outside Hoss\u2019 room he listened to faint snoring that indicated this son\u2019s state of slumber.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming to the third closed bedroom door, Ben took another deep breath.\u00a0 Exhaling slowly, he steeled himself for the encounter to come.\u00a0 Turning the doorknob, Ben stepped into the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Curled on top of the bed covers, back to the door, was the object of his ire.\u00a0 When he closed the door with a thud, he observed the figure shift on the mattress revealing they were not asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Turning up the faintly lit lantern on a nightstand beside the bed, \u201cI know you\u2019re not asleep.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m awake.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you care to tell me your version of what happened today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if I said, No?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wanting to lash out at the words spoken, Ben knew it wouldn’t do any good, so he struggled to keep his temper in check. Stepping to the bed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ve already heard all the gaudy details.\u201d\u00a0 The covers twisted inside a fisted hand, but the body never moved to sit up; to face the accuser.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was I supposed to do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst, you can look at me when you speak to me.\u00a0 I do not appreciate looking at your back.\u00a0 Secondly, you could do what I\u2019ve always told you to do.\u00a0 Hold your head high and walk away.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s easy for the mighty Ben Cartwright to say.\u201d Angry tear-filled eyes\u00a0and a tear-streaked face greeted him.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019re not me, the one having things said behind your back, and worse things said to your face.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Softening his voice, \u201cSuch as?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sitting up, \u201cNothing that\u2019s not been said before, I just couldn\u2019t take it anymore.\u00a0 Besides, I gave fair warning; said if they didn\u2019t stop I\u2019d take them to Fist City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Reaching forward to move a strand of blonde hair, \u201cMarie\u2026\u201d Ben sat on the edge of the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wrapping her arms around her husband was not enough to stop the cascade of tears nor prevent the sobs from seizing her small frame.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once his wife had settled, Ben searched for and pulled a bandaged hand to his lips.\u00a0 Shaking his head, he said the only thing he could, \u201cI take it you saw Paul?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTwice.\u201d\u00a0 Comforted by her husband\u2019s presence.\u00a0 \u201cHe said it was only sprained.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to hear why.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Needing to unburden herself, \u201cI had just left Paul\u2019s when she started.\u00a0 Said I wasn\u2019t good enough for you, that I would be the ruination of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 That I wasn\u2019t a good a mother figure for\u00a0Hoss or Adam.\u00a0 She said she\u2019d make sure you saw the error of your ways and she\u2019d soon have your love.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t stand to lose someone I love.\u00a0 Not again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMarie,\u201d Ben rubbed his wife\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cIf any other woman were of\u00a0interest to me, I would not have asked you to become my wife.\u00a0 Sweetheart, you should know that after eight months of marriage there\u2019s nothing you or anyone else could say or do that would make me stop loving you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Inhaling and taking pleasure in smelling the mixture of Bay Rum and pipe tobacco that was uniquely her husband, \u201cI\u2019m sorry for not walking away and that I punched Gertrude Abernathy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyebrows rose, wondering if his wife was honestly sincere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sheepishly, \u201cNo.\u00a0 She had it coming.\u00a0 Saying you were catting around, and her making other suggestive remarks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard she ended up on her derriere?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd all her crinoline was billowing and her pantaletes a showing.\u201d\u00a0 Marie giggled.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wrapping his arms around Marie, \u201cMust have been some sight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just got so mad at her.\u00a0 And then Adam came running, he saw me holding my hand and insisted that I go to Doctor Martin\u2019s.\u00a0 I imagine she\u2019ll have a good shiner come Sunday services.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Replaying his wife’s confession, \u201cYou said Gertrude started in on you after you left Paul\u2019s and you were there twice.\u00a0 Why were you at the clinic the first time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can sleep in tomorrow,\u201d Ben cooed, pulling Marie closer, lifting her injured hand and placing another tender kiss on it.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember we had discussed finding someone to help around the house and to cook for the hands? I was lucky to find someone in San Francisco after concluding the contract negotiations.\u00a0 He came with me, and is in the bunkhouse for the night.\u00a0 I\u2019ll introduce you in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, mon amour…\u201d\u00a0 Looking Ben in the eye, \u201cI didn’t say, it’s late, I said I\u2019m late. Meaning that Paul confirmed my suspicions….I\u2019m with child.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eyes and mouth gaping open, \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026.?\u00a0 You\u2019re sure?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hesitantly inquiring, \u201cAre…. are you…. happy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Resting his hand over where their child lay nestled in its mother\u2019s womb, \u201cYes, my love.\u00a0 But please, just don\u2019t let this one have your temper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

~The End<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Note:\u00a0 This story was inspired after hearing Loretta Lynn\u2019s song, Fist City<\/a>\u00a0for the first time in a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Family<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 Gossips sour Ben\u2019s mood when he returns from a business trip; and he only wants to hear an explanation direct from the guilty party.<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0(1,455 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":1231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","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},"categories":[1004,23,4,30],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ben-cartwright","category-drama","category-humor","category-prequels","wpcat-1004-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-4-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\/14320","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\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14320\/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=14320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}