The story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 1.<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0When it comes to his family, Adam decides some things are more important than cattle and horses.<\/p>\n
Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 – 3,750 words<\/p>\n
“And it came to pass<\/b>\u00a0in those days\u00a0that<\/i>\u00a0a decree went out from Caesar Augustus”<\/p>\n
And it Came to Pass<\/b><\/p>\n
\n~~by DJK\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
And it came to pass one December eve that a boy knelt down to pray
\n<\/i>And only the grave and the marble headstone were present to hear him say
\n<\/i>God could you please take all of the grief which now our hearts do bear
\n<\/i>Empty them, Lord, so there will be room for Christmas joy there<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i>Little Joe saw his older brother ride into the yard and dashed out of the barn door.<\/p>\n
\u201cLittle Joe!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam pulled Beauty to a sudden halt and dismounted.\u00a0\u00a0The five-year-old had stopped immediately and stood watching his brother\u2019s approach.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou know better, little boy!\u201d The declaration was frosty with admonishment.<\/p>\n
Little Joe\u2019s boot tip dug into the dirt.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI stopped, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam sighed as he lifted Little Joe and settled him on his hip.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt would have been better if you hadn\u2019t started.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He watched the child\u2019s lower lip tremble and shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou have to keep safe, Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You never run toward a moving horse.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam felt Little Joe\u2019s hold on his neck tighten.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou were gone a long time. You and Pa both!\u00a0\u00a0Where were you?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe managed quite a demanding tone.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s lots of work on a ranch.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The generalization served as a truthful equivocation since Adam had no intention of telling his baby brother he had just come from his mother\u2019s grave.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBesides, Hoss was home with you.\u00a0\u00a0Where is that brother of ours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019s doing chores in the barn.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam set the boy down and followed him leading Beauty to his stall.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam\u2019s home!\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss looked up and caught the glare Adam sent his way.\u00a0\u00a0He ducked his head at the silent rebuke; he should have kept a better eye on Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cChores are about done.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ll see to Beauty for ya.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need. Finish up, and we\u2019ll go in together.\u00a0\u00a0Pa said he\u2019d thought he\u2019d be home by supper.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Barely a week until Christmas Eve, but the ranch house still was bare
\n<\/i>Of any sign of the holidays, the decorations she always placed there
\n<\/i>No pine-scented greens, no red festive bows, no garland, no angel, no star
\n<\/i>The fire kept it warm, but it seemed less a home; her absence a shadow, a mar<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The book on Roman history lay open in Adam\u2019s lap, but Adam\u2019s eyes had seldom settled on its printed words in the hour since the family had left the supper table.\u00a0\u00a0He had studied both his father and his brothers instead.\u00a0\u00a0Ben Cartwright was at his desk working on the ranch ledgers.\u00a0\u00a0His brothers played checkers on the low table in front of the fireplace.\u00a0\u00a0A casual observer would not have noticed anything amiss in the scene of a father and sons, well-fed and warm on a winter\u2019s night, but Adam was well aware of the pain each of them carried and the emptiness his stepmother\u2019s death had brought into the house.\u00a0\u00a0They had all managed to go back to the normal motions demanded by each day, but pain and anger and dread and fear, yes fear, lay beneath the surface and in the eyes of each of them, even Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0The little boy clung too tightly to his father and older brothers, and though his nightmares had lessened his frequent giggles had failed to truly reappear.\u00a0\u00a0Adam closed his book and set it on the table beside his chair.\u00a0\u00a0He leaned forward and stared into the flames.\u00a0\u00a0Could he leave in the spring as he had long planned?\u00a0\u00a0Was part of his own dread was the fear of never having his dream of a college education?\u00a0\u00a0Marie had encouraged that dream.\u00a0\u00a0His Pa had insisted that he should still follow the path he had planned, but \u2026his brothers, Hoss and Little Joe; should he leave them; could he go?<\/p>\n
Adam felt his little brother crawl into his lap.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The whisper entered his ear on the child\u2019s warm breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe ain\u2019t\u2026 we ain\u2019t written to Santa.\u00a0\u00a0I guess\u2026 I guess it ain\u2019t no use this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam pulled the child into his arms.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhy would you say that?\u201d<\/p>\n
The whisper grew fainter as Little Joe buried his face in his brother\u2019s chest.\u00a0\u00a0\u201c \u2018Cause what we all really want Santa can\u2019t bring.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam\u2019s arms tightened, pulling the boy to his heart.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cEven Santa can\u2019t; can he, Adam?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The yearning for a denial, for an affirmation that Santa had enough magic for even that, was clear.\u00a0\u00a0Adam bit his lip and buried his face in Little Joe\u2019s curls.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he can\u2019t, little buddy.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2026 I wish he could, but like Pa told you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u00a0\u00a0Nobody can come back from heaven; we have to wait \u2018til we go there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam rubbed Little Joe\u2019s back.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd when we do\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He cleared his throat. \u201cNow won\u2019t it be so fine.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Minutes passed, and then Adam drew Little Joe\u2019s face away from his chest.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBut you\u2019re right, Little Joe.\u00a0\u00a0Santa needs your lists, and tomorrow you and Hoss\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam rolled his eyes, which only Hoss saw, and agreed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAnd me.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll get paper from Pa\u2019s desk and write out our lists.\u00a0\u00a0Should we make Pa write one too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes!\u201d Little Joe\u2019s eyes brightened, and this time Hoss rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cTomorrow then!\u00a0\u00a0But right now, it\u2019s time for two boys to head to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAwww, Adam.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The exclamation arrived at two different octaves.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour brother\u2019s right.\u00a0\u00a0To bed with the both of you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben Cartwright\u2019s order sent both of his sons up the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0Adam chewed his lower lip and rubbed the bridge of his nose.\u00a0\u00a0Then he slapped his knees with both his hands, rose, and followed his brothers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The presents were brought and the larder was full; these things his father could give
\n<\/i>But Pa had no joy within him to share; it was beyond him to do more than live
\n<\/i>If he wanted to see his brothers\u2019 eyes shine, one simple fact would be true
\n<\/i>I have to be the hands of God; each small thing I can I shall do<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i>\u201cAdam!\u00a0\u00a0What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
Glancing over his shoulder to see his pa had entered the room; Adam turned, swallowed, and then answered.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDecorating the mantle.\u201d\u00a0He ran his hands down his pants and cleared his throat.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI took the boys to get a tree today.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s in a bucket on the back porch.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019re going to decorate it tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam could not quite read his father\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2026 I know all my work didn\u2019t get done, but, well, I thought this was more important.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He drew in a deep breath.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf you\u2019re angry, you should only be angry with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben studied his eldest son and then sighed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m not angry.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2026 I\u2019m\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben closed the distance between himself and his son.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u00a0was <\/i>more important.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He placed his hand on Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo\u2026 do whatever you think is more important.\u00a0\u00a0I can see that anything the ranch needs gets done.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He squeezed his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAre the boys already in bed?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam nodded. \u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019re asleep yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go up and say good night then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam watched as his father slowly mounted the stairs and then turned back to placing red bows among the pine branches he had laid on the mantle.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The attic held boxes of things that had come to mean Christmas to each one of them
\n<\/i>An angel with gold hair, a silvery star, red velvet skirt white fur on its hem,
\n<\/i><\/i>Colored glass baubles and crudely carved figures, treasures from so many years
\n<\/i>They managed to place them, to speak of each one, to laugh, and to hold back the tears<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam lifted the lid of the last box and stared at the figurines inside.\u00a0\u00a0Marie\u2019s cr\u00e8che had come with her grandfather from France and then with Marie from New Orleans.\u00a0\u00a0It was invaluable and fragile, so none of the boys\u2019 hands had ever held any of the figures, not even Adam\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0His hand shook slightly has he reached for one of the sheep.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam, no!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo! You can\u2019t touch!\u201d<\/p>\n
The boys\u2019 cries stilled Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0He looked up into his brothers\u2019 faces.\u00a0\u00a0Then he cleared his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be careful.\u00a0\u00a0It wouldn\u2019t be a proper Christmas without the cr\u00e8che.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss chewed his lower lip.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cMaybe we should wait and let Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam caught Hoss\u2019s eyes with his own.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cPa\u2026 Pa has plenty of other things to do.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019m long passed fumbling fingers and dropping things, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYea, Hoss, we\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe\u2019s hand moved toward the box.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u00a0\u00a0You are still at the dropping stage, so I, not we, will set out the cr\u00e8che.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam watched Little Joe\u2019s lower lip slip outward.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou can remind me where things go.\u00a0\u00a0You and Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we get things just right.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe\u2019s voice had taken on a certain brightness that encouraged Adam to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, let\u2019s see. We\u2019ll start with Joseph.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He lifted the figure from the velvet cushioning of the special box.\u00a0\u00a0He carefully set it exactly where Little Joe\u2019s finger pointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn him more toward me, just a little.\u201d Adam followed Hoss\u2019s instruction. One by one Mary, the manger, four shepherds, six sheep, three Magi, and a camel for each were set out with precision.\u00a0\u00a0Even an angel was carefully hung from the eaves\u2019 peak on the wooden stable Adam had made at thirteen.\u00a0\u00a0Only the baby Jesus remained in the box.\u00a0\u00a0Adam sat back and closed the lid.\u00a0\u00a0By tradition the placing of the Holy Child into the manger was Marie\u2019s last act of Christmas Eve after everyone else was in bed.\u00a0\u00a0The first thing that the boys did each Christmas morning was check the manger for the appearance of Jesus in their home.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThere.\u00a0\u00a0Now it\u2019s just as it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s perfect.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss nodded in satisfaction. Little Joe plopped into Adam\u2019s lap.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow we\u2019s all ready for Christmas.\u00a0\u00a0How many days is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s tomorrow\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam let one finger straighten from his fisted hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe day after tomorrow\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Another finger was extended. \u201cThe day after that\u2026\u201d One more finger followed.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThen it\u2019s Christmas Eve and \u2026\u201d Another finger and another, the final one being greeted with a shout by both Hoss and Joe.<\/p>\n
\u201cCHRISTMAS!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Christmas.\u00a0\u00a0Now count, Little Joe, and you\u2019ll have your answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Little Joe used his own fingers to curl back his brother\u2019s as he counted. \u201cOne, two, three, four, FIVE.\u00a0\u00a0Christmas is the fifth day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRight!\u201d Hoss beamed at his younger brother and then declared Joe was as smart as a whip.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHop Sing saved some cookies from the tree.\u00a0\u00a0He said we could eat them when we was done.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he did.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam rose snatching his Little Joe up and tossing him over his shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll even make us some hot chocolate to go with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two cheers greeted his suggestion, as Hoss scrambled to follow.\u00a0\u00a0Upon arriving in the kitchen, they found that Hop Sing had already prepared not only the cookies but the hot chocolate as well.\u00a0\u00a0When Ben entered the house, he stopped and drew in a deep breath at the sight of the decorations.\u00a0\u00a0He turned his head and gazed toward the stairs as if he expected his wife to descend them.\u00a0\u00a0As it registered yet again that she never would, he let out a slow breath to control the sudden pain.\u00a0\u00a0Then he heard the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0His boys were laughing.\u00a0\u00a0For a moment he hesitated, but then he swallowed, swallowed again, and walked toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i>The next day included an act of tradition, as did each day that was to come after
\n<\/i>One by one, though some were quite small, each gave a measure of joy and bright laughter
\n<\/i>The shadows receded in soft candlelight, and music filled both silence and soul
\n<\/i><\/i>Her absence was still a large gaping tear, but each giggle was darning the hole<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Little Joe leaned over to watch the porridge that Adam was stirring.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHoss, you got the butter ready?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He had taken a seat on the sideboard next to the stove in order to have a clear view of all the proceedings.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I do, and in the red bowl too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think this is done.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam gave the mixture a final stir.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLean back, Little Joe, I don\u2019t want you to get burned.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He lifted the pan from the stove and turned toward Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0Carefully the porridge was poured into the proper bowl over an overly large pat of fresh butter.\u00a0\u201cNow set it on the table to cool.\u00a0\u00a0We\u2019ll put it out for the barn elf when the sun goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo he don\u2019t get aggravated and persnickety and do no mischief this coming year!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss took it upon himself to state the proper explanation as he had each year since Adam had explained their mama\u2019s tradition to the four-year-old Hoss.<\/p>\n
Adam tugged one of Little Joe\u2019s curls.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019ll leave all of the mischief to this one.\u00a0\u00a0He gives us more than we need to handle.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The name was drawn out and wailed in childish indignation.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019s not the only one!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam just smiled and lifted the little boy from his perch.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s the last thing to be done before we get bathed and dressed to go to services.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need no bath!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe\u2019s declaration contained more indignation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need to wear a tie, do I?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss\u2019s inquiry was hopeful even though he knew that a tie would be required.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou do.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam let his order cover both his brothers\u2019 concerns and proceeded to see that the boys were clean and properly dressed by the appointed hour of departure.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
From a trip to the church to the singing of carols, the family\u2019s pattern for God\u2019s holy night
\n<\/i>Was followed precisely and ever so nicely; Adam saw that each part was done right
\n<\/i>Stockings were hung; the eggnog they drank; the tree with candles did glow
\n<\/i><\/i>Pa read the story of salvation\u2019s birth, so the season\u2019s true meaning they\u2019d know<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam set down his guitar as the last chord of Ben\u2019s favorite carol echoed in the air.\u00a0\u00a0He looked at his father and announced, \u201cIt\u2019s after twelve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNearer to one.\u00a0\u00a0So all of you are headed to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Hoss got out only one word before his father stood.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, boys.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben\u2019s voice was stern, but he tempered his tone with a smile.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf Santa sees you up, he just might pass us by all together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss dropped his head before he rolled his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe, on the other hand, stood and darted toward the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cCome on, Hoss.\u00a0Come on, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the two younger boys were settled and asleep, Adam helped his father bring Santa\u2019s presents from their hiding places.\u00a0\u00a0Together they filled the stockings and set the larger things around the base of the tree or in its branches.\u00a0\u00a0Then they managed to eat the cookies and drink the milk left for the jolly old elf, though the carrots for his reindeer were simply placed in Ben\u2019s pocket to be used as Buck\u2019s treat the next day.\u00a0\u00a0After the candles on the tree were carefully extinguished, Ben placed his arm around his eldest son\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2026\u00a0\u00a0I don\u2019t know what your brothers and I would have done without you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam blushed and ducked his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot just now for the holidays, but ever since\u2026 well, I\u2019m so proud of you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He pulled Adam to his chest; his whisper just reached Adam\u2019s ear. \u201cShe would be so proud of you too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam slipped his arms around his father.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cShe\u2019s\u2026 I think she\u2019s here with us, just like Mama and my mother.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He straightened and let his arms fall to his sides.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThough I do think Heaven should notice that there\u2019s enough angels watching this house.\u201d There was just enough light for him to see his father\u2019s eyes cloud.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t\u2026I am sorry, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need to be, no need at all.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben placed his arm once again around Adam\u2019s shoulders, and together they walked up the stairs.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
His brothers smiled as they dreamed and Adam in his bed
\n<\/i>Heard only the words of his father\u2019s praise repeating again in his head
\n<\/i>They slumbered in darkness awaiting the morn and the Christmas they all would share
\n<\/i>Forgetting the fact that still in the cr\u00e8che a tiny manger lay bare<\/i>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/i>\u201cIt\u2019s Christmas!\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s Christmas!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam heard Little Joe\u2019s shouts and the clatter of his boots on the stairs.\u00a0\u00a0He turned over in his bed and sighed.\u00a0\u00a0It appeared he would be getting up now. He sighed again and then smiled.\u00a0\u00a0He wanted to see the joy on the boys\u2019 faces when they saw the Christmas treasure he and his pa had set out the night before.\u00a0\u00a0He pictured the two boys racing down the stairs- he had also been able to distinguish the sound of Hoss\u2019s footsteps passing his door- and going to the cr\u00e8che. He sat up with a gasp. Shooting out of bed, he raced barefooted after his brothers.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, look, Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0The baby Jesus is in the manger.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe stood peering down at the cr\u00e8che.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd his love shall bless our home throughout the coming year.\u201d Hoss put his arm around little Joe\u2019s waist pulling the child to him and then glanced over his shoulder at Adam.\u00a0\u00a0Marie had stated those words each Christmas that she had spent in their house.<\/p>\n
\u201cAmen.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe spoke in unison and heard their father\u2019s voice in a rich echo.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow the stockings!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Little Joe darted to the hearth with Hoss following.<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, wait, I\u2019ll hand them down.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam strode after his brothers, and the Cartwright family proceeded with the traditional emptying of the stockings and opening of the presents.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing then called them to the table for Christmas breakfast.\u00a0\u00a0Adam felt a lump grow in his throat as he saw the plate of beignets; Hop Sing had prepared the sweets that Marie had always prepared for breakfast on birthdays and holidays.\u00a0\u00a0He swallowed and joined his family.\u00a0\u00a0He managed to eat three beignets, just one short of his all-time record, along with the fried potatoes and ham omelets.<\/p>\n
It was not until they had shared the traditional Christmas feast with all of the ranch hands that things quieted, and Adam was able to approach his father privately.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Pa, for remembering to put the baby in the manger.\u00a0\u00a0If you hadn\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam saw his pa shake his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cBut I didn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0I thought you did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI, I forgot, but who?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0\u00a0Maybe Hoss got up earlier.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Ben shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, I guess, well, it must have been.\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019s done a lot of growing up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Old Ned walked up then and spoke to Ben.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Later, seeing that Little Joe had fallen asleep on the settee, Adam motioned to Hoss to come over to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, ummm, did you, if you were up early this morning before Little Joe say, well, did you, did you put the baby in the manager?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss\u2019s eyes widened, and he shook his head slowly.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI wouldn\u2019t never risk breaking the baby Jesus, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you didn\u2019t?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, iffen it wasn\u2019t you, it musta been Pa.\u00a0\u00a0I just hope, well, I hope it wasn\u2019t too hard on him.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss had spoken with Adam several times about the depth of their father\u2019s grief.<\/p>\n
Adam smiled and patted his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI think, well, I think things have been a bit better for Pa these past days.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss nodded.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI was feared that Christmas, well, that maybe, but it\u2019s been nice, Adam, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReal nice.\u00a0\u00a0I think it\u2019s been real nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, real nice.\u201d Hoss looked into his brother\u2019s eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThank you, elder brother.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re most welcome, little brother.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hoss smiled and gave Adam a slight shove just to make a point about how little he no longer was.<\/p>\n
As Hoss walked away, Adam pondered how the baby Jesus had found his way into the manger if his Pa, Hoss, himself, and obviously Little Joe had not placed the figurine there.\u00a0\u00a0Then a clattering in the kitchen drew his attention.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing, may I ask you something?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you need?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need anything; well, except to thank you for everything you did to make this Christmas a happy one.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing do what Hop Sing pleased to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUmm, did you\u2026 did you put the figure of the baby in the cr\u00e8che.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMissy Marie would want baby in manger in morning, Hop Sing up early.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing do what Missy Marie would want.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very grateful that you did.\u00a0\u00a0The boys would have been so hurt to find it empty.\u00a0\u00a0I, I don\u2019t know how I could forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMister Adam have much to remember; all men need help some time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou did much has you could.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing do what he could.\u00a0\u00a0He make what always made with all mothers\u2019 recipes, he pop corn to string, he eat cold porridge from red bowl, he pray to ancestors for better year for all boys.\u00a0\u00a0He ask for safe journey for eldest son and much knowledge to come to him at college.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing do what pleases him; he see to his Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou go college and no worry.\u00a0\u00a0Father not have to do alone.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing here; Old Ned here.\u00a0\u00a0Other friends help.\u00a0\u00a0Boys be fine until you come back with great knowledge.\u00a0\u00a0You go make ancestors proud.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing saw the dimples on Adam\u2019s face grow deeper than they had since Marie\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026 thank you, Hop Sing.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Adam straightened and then bowed from the waist.\u00a0\u00a0Hop Sing returned the bow.\u00a0\u00a0It was not until much later that it occurred to Adam that Hop Sing had called him Mister Adam.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The boy had prayed for grief to go and though it was not all gone
\n<\/i>Love had brought them joy again; the family would carry on
\n<\/i>And it came to pass on that Christmas Day three souls in heaven shown
\n<\/i>Brighter with pride in the boy they all loved and in the man into whom he had grown<\/i>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n
\n
~*~*~A blessed Christmas to everyone!~*~*~<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link to the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 2 –\u00a0<\/span>Of Winters Past…<\/a> by BluewindFarm<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Ben Cartwright,\u00a0Hoss Cartwright,\u00a0Old Ned<\/p>\n