{"id":15007,"date":"2000-09-14T13:56:27","date_gmt":"2000-09-14T17:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15007"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:04:43","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:04:43","slug":"welcome-home-by-starlite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=15007","title":{"rendered":"Welcome Home (by Starlite)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:<\/strong>\u00a0How I believe it would have been.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/strong>\u00a0G\u00a0 (1,460 words)<\/p>\n

Welcome Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laying there he only knew pain – incessant, consuming and relentless agony. His every breath, his every movement only added to his misery. From afar he overheard disjointed familiar voices<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve given him something to help him rest easy\u201d, the longtime friend stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRest easy, not hardly.\u201d If he had the energy, he would have engaged the good old doctor in a vigorous debate on what the term rest should mean.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow, how much \u2026\u201d the person now closest to him in life tried to ask, but the words faltered in coming. Once more, he would have liked to engage them in conversation, if only to dispel any fear or worry, but his energy waned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot much longer\u201d, the trusted physician and good friend comforted. \u201cNot much longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was just no way to get comfortable, no way of easing the never ending suffering that seemed to consume his very being. He sighed as deeply as his constricted lungs would allow, and tried once more to sleep. Suddenly, he became vaguely aware of a buzzing about him, \u201chad some annoying pest entered his room\u201c? The buzzing seemed to intensify and consumed his every thought. \u201cWasn\u2019t anyone else aware\u201c?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He wanted to draw the attention of the others in the room, make them aware of the buzzing in some vain hope that they\u2019d remove the insufferable annoyance from his presence. He wanted to open his eyes, even though he\u2019d have to endure the painfully sharp, bright electric light. He resented electricity now; he sorely missed the old kerosene lamps of his younger years. Their soft, golden light was much more soothing to his tired old eyes. He struggled with his eyelids, trying to get them to open, and then realized the buzzing sound was rapidly fading. He didn\u2019t need to open his eyes. It didn\u2019t matter anymore. He could rest now, \u201cAh, sleep. Perchance to dream\u201d \u2026 and then bright light flooded over him. He raised his right hand to shield his eyes and realized that he was looking directly into the sun – radiant, glorious, warm. It felt so good after being shut up in his sick room for so long.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lowering his hand and his face, he glanced about at his surroundings and found himself in very familiar territory. The meadow was a rich green and the grass long and lush, the lake to his left sparkled like a huge blue topaz as small ripples lapped lazily upon the rocky shore and the pine trees off to his right were tall and strong reaching up to touch the bluest of clear almost cloudless skies. He instinctively drew in a deep breath and found the air to be fresh and crisp, filled with the cleanliness of mountain snow with just a hint of pine and wildflowers as the air wafted through the tall trees. Drawing a deep refreshing breath was something he\u2019d not been able to do for a long time, and he\u2019d forgotten how good it really felt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFeast your eyes on heaven itself\u201d! He smiled inwardly at the memory. How long ago was that moment when he heard those words pronounced? \u201cToo long, far too long\u201d, his memory responded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly his whole world started to shift, right at the seat of his pants. He heard an annoyed snort followed by a demanding whinny. Looking slightly downward he was rewarded by the sight of his faithful mount, the horse that was one with him for so many years. \u201cBut how could this be\u201d? This magnificent steed was long since gone, many, many years before. Reaching down, he patted the long strong neck and was rewarded with another more contented nicker from the horse of his younger years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seeing the hand as it touched the mane, gave him a strange detached feeling. \u201cIs this my hand\u201d? It seemed to be, but at the same time it wasn\u2019t. His hands were now frail with age, weaken by time and illness. These were the hands of a strong, virile younger man. Ones that were used to strenuous labor, yet still nimble and agile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was vaguely aware that everything about him seemed so real, so genuine. From the touch of the sleek hair of his horse, to the cool clean mountain breeze, to the warmth of the sun upon his face and even to the stiff hard leather saddle that he rested upon. \u201cWell, why not\u201d? He mused, this was his dream and it can be as real as he wanted it to be.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a smirk upon his face, that turned into a sly grin and then eventually to a full face smile before allowing the words to escape his lips, \u201cYEE HAH!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He let out the reins to his mount and with a gentle touch of his heels; he gave the horse his head. First in a trot, that quickly turned into a cantor, then a full gallop and finally a run. The power of this majestic animal as it displayed its\u2019 amazing strength filled him with the awe and joy of being so alive once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he passed familiar landmarks, the boulder here, the well-known path to the road, and then the heavily trodden road itself, he knew where his memory was taking him. But it had been so long; \u201ctoo long\u201d a lament began to build in his heart. \u201cNo matter\u201d, he dismissed the old regret, as long as this dream would take him there again, then that\u2019s all that mattered now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nearing the ranch house, the horse began to slow his gait, as though he was not being ridden at all. The slower pace of a quick walk allowed the passenger a chance to take in all of his surroundings, there was the familiar barn, the sturdy railings of the corral and the well built home, his home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly he became aware that the horse had stopped, and was looking back at him and nodding his head in a gesture that was vaguely reminiscence of the expression \u201cget off\u201d. Smiling, he gratefully complied with his old animal friend\u2019s request.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stood frozen as he stared intently at the building that stood so resolutely before him. Every log, every detail of the place from the rough-framed windows, to the well worn porch and even to the strong brass knocker on the door was just as he remembered them. The vision before him was totally unlike the more recent daguerreotype that graced the desk in his study.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Stepping forward, he felt the soft Nevada dirt slightly crunch beneath his booted foot. Several feet from the porch he noticed the side door open, allowing a small Chinese man to exit from the kitchen. The silk pajama clothing he wore was the most intense robin egg color he\u2019d ever seen and the black corded closings matched the intensity of the long black braid the man wore, both of which were in stark contrast to the lightness of the blue. He saw the wide smile upon the old trusted family friend and cook\u2019s face, and he believed he could actually see the man\u2019s eyes twinkle in delight before the Asian cocked his head to one side, then bowed in welcoming.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was just beginning to return the gesture, when he recognized the familiar clanking of the heavy front door\u2019s latch being opened. His gaze shifted to observe three very familiar forms emerging, three men that had been the core of his life and his being from the earliest years of his memory, even to the time that had long since passed for them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The one to the left had the same youth and vitality that he\u2019d always seemed to possess. His hair was curly, but not overly long and he wore the same short-waisted green jacket that he always favored. He could hear the infectious giggle as it filled the air before the young man announced with a humorous taunt, \u201cIt\u2019s about time, ya Yankee granite head\u201d!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This in turn received a slightly raised eyebrow from the older white-gray haired man standing in the middle, before he gently cuffed his youngest upon the shoulder. To the older man\u2019s other shoulder stood a much larger bear of a man, with gentle sky blue eyes and thinning blond hair with his hands stuffed deeply into his pants pockets, who shyly scuffed one boot in the dirt before quietly saying \u201cHowdy Adam\u201d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then before he knew it, he felt his body being drawn into a warm strong embrace, an embrace that he would\u2019ve withdrawn from in his younger days, but now he welcomed wholeheartedly. His father\u2019s strong arms encircled him tightly and held him close to his own chest before speaking the comforting and loving words he so longed to hear, \u201cWelcome home, son. Welcome home.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary:\u00a0How I believe it would have been.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0G\u00a0 (1,460 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10520,"featured_media":4115,"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_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1005,23,698],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15007","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-post-timeline","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-698-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1844,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/frontporch.jpg?fit=439%2C305&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":41045,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=41045","url_meta":{"origin":15007,"position":0},"title":"A Shady Encounter (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"March 18, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Adam entertains an old flame. Could it be love the second time around? Rating: Teen Words: 750","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Untitled5.jpg?fit=275%2C342&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13064,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13064","url_meta":{"origin":15007,"position":1},"title":"One for the Ages (by Justafan)","author":"justafan","date":"June 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A story of a friendship that ran deeper than blood.\u00a0 Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (537 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/pained-look.jpg?fit=300%2C266&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3850,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3850","url_meta":{"origin":15007,"position":2},"title":"Aftermath! (by No1butJoe)","author":"No1butjoe","date":"April 26, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: The aftermath of Joe being kidnapped. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K (1,665 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/War-Comes-to-Washoe11.jpg?fit=568%2C379&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":63722,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=63722","url_meta":{"origin":15007,"position":3},"title":"Cartwright Saga #45 – The Lawyer # 9- Spanish Land Grant #4 – The Long Journey Home (by Lyn Robinson)","author":"Lynrobinson","date":"March 18, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 The case is won and Adam can take time to recover but he pushes himself to get home for the twins birthday and then finds it very difficult to get back to normal, needing his father's help. Rating:\u00a0 PG13\u00a0 \u00a037,500 words","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47169,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47169","url_meta":{"origin":15007,"position":4},"title":"Love Has Many Faces (by Kimberley)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"December 31, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Hoss\u00a0struggles\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0thing\u00a0by\u00a0his\u00a0childhood\u00a0friend Rating:\u00a0 Teen Words:\u00a0 8,300 Many Faces of Love Series, story links within","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12607,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12607","url_meta":{"origin":15007,"position":5},"title":"The Razor’s Edge [aka A Close Shave] (by freyakendra)","author":"freyakendra","date":"February 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0At thirteen, Joe decides to practice shaving, only to discover that growing up isn't just about growing whiskers. (This story introduces an OC named Jackson Cooper, aka Coop.) \u00a0(Word Count: 4500; Rating: K)","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/razor-river.jpg?fit=571%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/razor-river.jpg?fit=571%2C640&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/razor-river.jpg?fit=571%2C640&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15007","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\/10520"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15007"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15007\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}