Summary – Spending the day fishing can open up all sorts of discussions. Adam asks Joe for help with his troubled grandson, but the child isn’t the only one helped by the fresh air and touch of home that the Ponderosa offers. Thanks to a friend for the title.<\/p>\n
Rating – K, Word Count – 4990<\/p>\n
Circle of Life<\/strong><\/p>\n Jeremy Cartwright, six and a half years old, \u201calmost seven\u201d he liked to remind everyone, stood at the water\u2019s edge of Lake Tahoe, his bare feet just inside the water line so his rolled-up pants wouldn\u2019t get wet. He bobbed his fishing line in the water, his curly blonde head bobbing right along with it, but nothing was happening. As his impatience grew he glanced to his left at his grandfather. His fishing pole rested loosely in his hand as he stared out over the lake. Jeremy shook his head. He never could figure out how the man could sit so still and look at nothing, especially in a place like the lake, with all the birds flying around and little animals skittering here and there. <\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy swiveled his head to the right and saw his uncle relaxing on the ground with his hat over his eyes. \u00a0His fishing pole was propped up just so, where he didn\u2019t have to hold it but it also would not fall over if a fish had a mind to bite the bait. \u00a0Jeremy sighed, laid down his pole and marched the few steps over to his uncle. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUncle Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMmm?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure there are fish in this lake?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe removed his hat and smiled at the lad. \u00a0\u201cSure there are. But you have to be quiet Jeremy or they won\u2019t come near the shore.\u201d \u00a0He sat up and gestured to his nephew. \u201cGet your pole and come over here. You might have better luck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy grinned and ran to get his pole. \u00a0Soon Joe was showing him the fine art of dangling the lure to get the fish to bite. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUncle Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAre you really my uncle?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe paused in baiting his hook to look at his nephew. \u00a0\u201cSure, Jeremy. Why do you ask?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWell, I got another uncle and three aunts \u2018cause my daddy says they\u2019re his brother and sisters. But you\u2019re not one of my daddy\u2019s brothers so how can you be my uncle?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe pushed his hat back and glanced over Jeremy\u2019s head to the man sitting off to himself. \u00a0Yeah he thought he\u2019d seen a small smirk slide across his face. Pulling his attention back to Jeremy, \u201cWell, you see there are levels of uncles, just like there are levels of daddies. There\u2019s your dad, then there\u2019s your grandpa. You with me so far?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy nodded. \u00a0He knew all about dads and grandpas. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOkay, now you have uncles and aunts that are related to your dad – his brother and sisters, right? \u00a0Well I\u2019m related to your grandpa. I\u2019m his brother so that makes me your great uncle but we just use the word \u2018uncle\u2019 to make things easier.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe watched as Jeremy\u2019s brow gained more and more creases until he finally shook his head and blurted out, \u201cBut you\u2019re not my Daddy\u2019s brother so you can\u2019t be my uncle.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A chuckle emanated from the still figure on the other side of Jeremy. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Adam, you think it\u2019s so funny. Why don\u2019t you give it a go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam faced Joe with a big grin on his face. \u201cOh no, I took my turn on the train ride out here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Before Joe could respond, Adam\u2019s fishing line started twitching. \u00a0\u201cGrandpa, you caught a fish!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy ran over to help pull on the line. \u00a0Joe went into the water to try to catch the fish as Adam and Jeremy pulled with all their might. \u00a0Finally, Joe told them to hold the line tight while he slowly waded deeper into the cold water. Adam and Jeremy looked at each other, both holding their breaths. \u00a0Suddenly Joe spun around with the biggest Rainbow Trout either of the brothers had seen in a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy released the pole and ran into the water to look at it, forgetting all about staying dry. Adam laid the pole and line down and waded into the lake to help Joe remove the fish from the hook. \u00a0All three were talking at the same time when Jeremy suddenly hollered, \u201cUncle Joe, your pole, it\u2019s gone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe and Adam spun around to see Jeremy wading deeper into the lake to get the pole that was being carried away on the current.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJeremy, no!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTake the fish Adam. I\u2019ll get him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe dropped the trout before Adam could grab it and ran through the water arriving in time to snatch Jeremy from the deeper part of the lake. \u201cGotcha!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n He scooped the boy into his arms and made his way back to shore. Placing him on the shore by his grandfather, Joe looked at Jeremy. \u00a0\u201cThat wasn\u2019t safe Jeremy. You know you can\u2019t swim. The bottom of the lake drops off real deep and you could have drowned.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Adam wrapped a blanket around his grandson and held him close to keep him from shaking. The child looked between the two men then broke into tears. \u00a0Adam cradled his grandson as he looked up at Joe, his voice reflecting the close call, \u201cThank you Joe.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Joe smiled then shivered a bit. \u00a0\u201cGuess I better get dried off. Hey, Jeremy, when you get warm you can help me get your grandpa\u2019s fish into the wagon, okay buddy?\u201d That got Jeremy to stop crying and produce a weak smile. Adam hugged Jeremy closer as they sat in the warm sunshine while Joe dried off and began packing things into the wagon. <\/span><\/p>\n xXXx<\/span><\/p>\n That evening, Adam slipped downstairs after settling Jeremy in bed. \u00a0The boy had been disappointed at the shortened fishing trip and upset about getting in trouble for going after Joe\u2019s fishing pole. Adam felt he\u2019d finally gotten Jeremy to understand he wasn\u2019t in trouble, just had made a bad choice. After dinner, Adam spent time with his grandson, singing and reading to him until he fell asleep. <\/span><\/p>\n Now Adam was ready for the promised glass of brandy Joe had waiting for him. He sat in his familiar blue chair and sipped the calming drink. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJeremy okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I think so. He\u2019s more sensitive about things than his cousins ever were.\u201d \u00a0Adam glanced around the room. \u201cWhere\u2019s Alice?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s finishing some sewing in our room. \u00a0Figured you and I might like to talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe waited for those graying brows to rise and he wasn\u2019t disappointed. \u201cCome on Adam, I\u2019ve learned enough from Pa and Hoss to be able to detect when something\u2019s not right in this family. \u00a0You wire me that you\u2019re coming now instead of in June. You arrived yesterday and wanted to go fishing today. You\u2019ve also been more solemn than usual. What\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe waited patiently for his older brother to formulate his response. It had been a hard couple of years for both brothers. \u00a0Ever since Adam and Anna left to settle in Boston he\u2019d always brought his children out to the Ponderosa for the summers. Later it was his grandchildren. \u00a0Joe knew Adam\u2019s roots were in the Sierras but new business opportunities arose that took him back East. Pa always looked forward to the visits and once Joe took over running the ranch Ben made a few trips back East as well. \u00a0But all that ended last year in the winter when Ben took his final breath after a long life. At the funeral Adam revealed that Anna was sick and would not recover. She died a month later after they returned to Boston. None of the Eastern Cartwrights made a trip west that summer but Adam did come at Christmas. \u00a0Now just a few months later he\u2019s home again and with his youngest grandchild. Joe sipped his brandy as he waited for Adam to answer his question. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJeremy has been having difficulties at school. Aaron and Michele have spoken to the Headmaster many times but to no avail. Jeremy has picked up the habits of a bully and we can\u2019t figure out why.\u201d \u00a0Adam sighed and took a deep swallow of his brandy. \u201cThe last incident was two weeks ago. The lad pushed another boy, causing him to fall down a staircase. Neither boy would say what led up to it but I believe Jeremy is upset about something that he won\u2019t tell anyone. My hope is that some time away from school and a change of scenery will help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe\u2019s face reflected the fact that inside he felt deeply for the situation Adam found himself in. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs you know, Joe, there are quite a few years between Jeremy and his cousins, with the next youngest being thirteen. Michele has worked hard to make sure he has good friends his age but that hasn\u2019t helped. Aaron also suggested that Jeremy hasn\u2019t been very receptive to the idea of a younger sibling. That might be part of the problem so I thought perhaps some individual time here with your family might bring him out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOf course. \u00a0There are some chores I can assign him and I think he\u2019s about the right size to ride Shadow. What do you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat all sounds fine, Joe. \u00a0Thanks.\u201d Adam finished his drink but still held the empty glass.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cUm, is there more?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam let a half smile slip out. \u201cJeremy seems to be comfortable around you and I was wondering if you would mind spending some extra time with him. He probably feels I\u2019ll just keep pushing him to tell me what\u2019s troubling him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe stretched his legs then rose out of the chair and headed toward Adam. Placing his hand lightly on his brother\u2019s shoulder, he gave Adam a big grin. \u00a0\u201cYou know Alice and I will do all we can to help. I\u2019ll teach him to ride Shadow and let him work with Eric on some chores. Eric\u2019s been wanting some extra responsibilities now that he\u2019s thirteen. Why don\u2019t you just sit back older brother and see what happens.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Adam\u2019s half smile filled into a full one as he stood up. \u00a0\u201cThink I\u2019ll go for a walk before turning in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSuit yourself.\u201d \u00a0Joe gathered the glasses and headed toward the kitchen. He called to Adam as his brother headed out the front door, \u201cWill you lock up when you get back? \u00a0I\u2019m heading upstairs myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam held up his hand to acknowledge the request then shut the door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n xXXx<\/span><\/p>\n With the door closed the darkness and silence wrapped around Adam like a comforting blanket. He took a deep breath of the cool pine-scented air before strolling into the yard. \u00a0His first instinct was to look up, to see the stars that had been his friends for so long. Mentally calling the stars and the constellations by name he felt comforted by so many memories. It was his father who had first taught him about stars and navigation, even on land. Then Grandfather Stoddard added to his knowledge with stories of the sea and the history of navigation. \u00a0When he left for England and his sojourn across Europe, he had spent more time studying the patterns of the stars to get him to his next destination but also found them to be friendly reminders of home. It was in Spain, when he met Anna and married her, that he found a new kinship with the stars as he introduced his new wife, and later his children to them, just as his father had taught him when he was a child. <\/span><\/p>\n Adam couldn\u2019t help but smile as he realized he had come full circle with those twinkling lights in the night sky. \u00a0Finding himself at the corral railing Adam leaned back against it and stared into the heavens. Up there were the ones he loved – Mother, Mama, Marie, Grandfather, Hoss, Pa and now Anna. A deep feeling of emptiness and sadness welled up inside Adam, he missed Pa and Anna the most at that moment. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He felt a gentle nudge against his shoulder and turned to find a young chestnut stallion studying him. Sadness was replaced with love upon seeing the grandson of his faithful mount. Adam reached up to rub the thin white blaze, just a line down the long face. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHello, Buddy. What are you doing out here?\u201d Adam glanced around and found more horses in the corral. \u00a0It was a comfortable night so he figured the foreman chose to let the horses out for a romp before being settled in their stalls. The horse stayed for a bit longer as Adam scratch him under the jawline then trotted away to join his stable mates. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Seeing Buddy caused Adam to think of Sport and his life on the ranch, his time traveling and finally returning to the Ponderosa for a few years before moving to Boston. \u00a0He pondered his family, those gone and those with him. His children were all married and living their lives. Joe had the ranch and his boys and Jamie to help him. But where did he, Adam, fit in? \u00a0That was the question he couldn\u2019t answer. He and Anna had agreed to stay in Boston until most of the grandchildren were grown but now all that had changed. They had talked of returning to Madrid for a visit, then coming to live on the Ponderosa but that was before\u2026.Adam sighed once more as he pushed away from the fence. \u00a0Seeing the warm glow of the windows and feeling the cool breeze against his skin, he felt a peace he hadn\u2019t felt for a while. Perhaps he did know where he belonged. <\/span><\/p>\n xXXx<\/span><\/p>\n Over the next couple of weeks, Jeremy settled in with Joe\u2019s family. \u00a0He followed young Eric like a shadow and did all his chores without complaint. \u00a0Joe told Adam the boy was a natural on the pony so he and Joe took turns letting Jeremy ride with them around the ranch. \u00a0To help Jeremy get used to having a baby in the house, Alice agreed to keep a young child for a friend from town whose family was sick with colds. \u00a0Alice let Jeremy help to feed the infant and to dress it after diaper changes. He was hesitant at first then seemed to blossom when Alice let him help with more tasks and even watch the baby during a nap while she prepared lunch for everyone. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Adam\u2019s observations of all that Jeremy took on and learned made him realize he had a grandson who was quiet and sensitive like Hoss but excelled when given certain responsibilities. After a week with the baby Jeremy admitted that he was looking forward to helping his mama with their new baby which was due in the late fall. <\/span><\/p>\n One morning, Joe took Jeremy with him to count cattle. They were going to meet the cow hands there and come back after lunch. \u00a0Adam grinned as they rode out, Jeremy so proud to ride beside his uncle on such an important mission. <\/span><\/p>\n After Joe spent the morning letting Jeremy write the numbers down when the hands reported in, he and Jeremy sat with everyone to have lunch. \u00a0There were a couple of new hands who were just out of school and Joe noticed they weren\u2019t getting along very well. He waited to see what the foreman would do when the arguing got out of hand and one boy hit the other one. \u00a0The foreman immediately stepped in to break up the fight and told the boys he\u2019d be talking to them back at the bunkhouse later. Joe was pleased how the foreman handled that but when he looked down to explain things to Jeremy the boy was gone. \u00a0Seeing Joe\u2019s panicked expression one of the other hands told him the boy had gone over to some nearby boulders. He\u2019d been keeping an eye on him just in case he tried to run off too far. Grateful for the help, Joe made his way over to the area. He soon found Jeremy huddled down between to large boulders. <\/span><\/p>\n Taking his hat off and dragging his sleeve across his forehead, Joe slumped down to sit near Jeremy.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSure is a hot day. \u00a0I\u2019m glad you found some shade but it\u2019s a bit far from the rest of the hands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m guessing you just wanted to be alone?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cKinda.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWanna tell me about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThose big boys scared me. They were so angry. \u00a0The big one was being mean to the other one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThat happens sometimes when the hands don\u2019t quite get along. They\u2019ll be alright. Dave, the foreman, will talk to them later and get it sorted out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Noticing Jeremy still had a worried look on his face, Joe prompted him, \u201cSomething else on your mind, little buddy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Catching Joe off guard, Jeremy burst into tears and scooted deeper into his little grotto. All of a sudden he seemed afraid of his own shadow. \u00a0\u201cI didn\u2019t mean it Uncle Joe. He was being mean and he said awful things about Grandpa and Papa. He said they built buildings that weren\u2019t safe.\u201d Jeremy gasped for air through his tears. \u201cHe said\u2026.they\u2026 killed people! \u00a0I had to stop him. I told him he was lying. I got so mad I pushed him. I didn\u2019t mean for him to fall down the stairs.\u201d Suddenly, Jeremy jumped up and ran off blindly. Joe scrambled to his feet and chased after him, lifting Jeremy up into his arms before he got any closer to the cattle. <\/span><\/p>\n Joe stood rooted to the ground and held Jeremy tightly as the boy squirmed and screamed to be released. \u00a0Eventually, the fight left him and Joe paced around, whispering loving words to calm his nephew. When Joe felt his nephew had relaxed enough he suggested they head for home. Jeremy nodded but said nothing. <\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy was too upset to ride by himself so they doubled on Joe\u2019s horse and Joe led the pony as they headed away from the herd. They talked a bit more about what Jeremy told Joe. Jeremy was afraid to tell his grandpa but Joe assured him that the truth was always the best path and that his grandpa would listen to everything Jeremy had to say. In his own mind Joe wondered how Adam would react to all of this. \u00a0He figured he\u2019d find out soon enough as they slowly made their way up to the house. <\/span><\/p>\n Adam was on the front porch teaching young Eric about the guitar when Joe rode in. Noticing immediately that Jeremy wasn\u2019t on his pony, he handed the guitar to his nephew and walked over to the riders. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJoe, everything alright?\u201d \u00a0He noticed Jeremy refused to look at him. <\/span><\/p>\n Joe dismounted and reached up to help Jeremy down. \u00a0Making eye contact with Eric he suggested the boys find a snack in the kitchen. Once the children were out of earshot, Joe and Adam settled on the porch to talk. \u201cJeremy\u2019s not hurt but something did happen. \u00a0A couple of young hands, about fifteen or sixteen years old, got into an argument. It wasn\u2019t bad and my foreman squelched it pretty quick, but it scared Jeremy and he ran off. When I found him we talked about the fight and I thought I\u2019d settled it with him when he suddenly burst out crying. He said something about how he had pushed a kid to keep him from saying bad things about you and Aaron. He said something about a building collapse and people being killed.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Adam silently ran his hand across his face then he stood up and stepped off the porch. \u00a0Crossing his arms across his chest he stared across the yard. Joe was about to join him when Adam turned slowly to face him. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, a building collapsed. \u00a0It happened a month before Jeremy attacked the boy at school. Cartwright Enterprises did the design work, supervised by Aaron, but the construction was done by Brennan Construction. \u00a0The initial investigation showed that Brennan took shortcuts with materials and procedures. Just before this trip, we found out that Aaron and our company was found faultless with charges against Brennan and his suppliers still pending. But none of that information had been made public at the time.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam.\u201d Joe scratched the back of his neck then joined Adam in the yard. \u201cHow did the other boy know about all that if it was still private?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe boy was the son of Thomas Brennan the third, the man who could be charged with the building collapse that caused the workers\u2019 deaths. I need to find Jeremy and somehow explain all this to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Joe laid a hand on Adam’s arm. \u201cJeremy\u2019s afraid to talk to you. \u00a0I think he\u2019s afraid of disappointing you somehow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Those words left Adam feeling cold inside. He said nothing and headed to the house to find his grandson.<\/span><\/p>\n Realizing the horses needed tending, Joe took them to the barn. \u00a0He needed to keep busy while he waited to see how Adam\u2019s talk with Jeremy went. <\/span><\/p>\n Inside the house Adam found Jeremy with Eric in the kitchen. \u00a0He accepted a cookie from Eric before the boy excused himself. \u00a0Adam fingered the cookie then ate it in two bites. He glanced at Jeremy. \u201cThat was a good cookie.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy refused to look up at his grandfather. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSeems we need to talk about today. How about we take a few more cookies with us and head over to the far side of the corral. \u00a0I know a quiet place where no one will disturb us.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy nodded as Adam helped him down from the stool. \u00a0They walked outside and side by side to the spot Adam had chosen then settled in the grass by a tree. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cDoes this have something to do with the boy you pushed?\u201d \u00a0Adam didn\u2019t need an answer, his grandson\u2019s wide and distant eyes said it all.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJeremy, look at me please.\u201d \u00a0The boy turned a fearful look at Adam. \u201cPlease don\u2019t be afraid. I love you very much and it makes me sad when you are so sad. \u00a0Just tell me what happened at school that day, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy nodded and swallowed hard. Thomas Brennan the fourth was two years older than Jeremy and he had targeted the boy since the start of school, all because his last name was Cartwright. Jeremy told Adam how Thomas had been taunting him throughout the year and he told everything the boy said that fateful day. In the hallway that day Thomas had called Jeremy\u2019s father and grandfather murderers in front of many of the other students. \u00a0Jeremy didn\u2019t believe the boy, he knew he had to be lying so he pushed Thomas to get him to be quiet. He didn\u2019t see the stairs behind Thomas and was terrified when the boy tumbled down each step and landed at the bottom, crying and grabbing at his leg. <\/span><\/p>\n When Jeremy finished talking he was wrapped in Adam\u2019s arms, sobbing hard. Adam eyes had misted over as well. It bothered him deeply that his young grandson had been tormented at school and then found out about a tragic event, thinking his family was involved. But how does one help a six year old understand all of that? <\/span><\/p>\n Shifting his grandson in his lap, Adam pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dried Jeremy\u2019s face. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa, are you mad at me? \u00a0I know it was wrong to push Thomas but he was telling lies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Pursing his lips Adam formed his words carefully. \u00a0\u201cYou remind me so much of your Uncle Hoss.\u201d Adam knew Jeremy didn\u2019t remember him but he pressed on, \u201cHe had a gentle heart just like you. \u00a0He cared a lot about people and animals but mostly he cared a lot about what was right. You seem to be that way too.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBut I don\u2019t know what to do when kids like Thomas are so mean. \u00a0Papa says fighting is wrong and that\u2019s why I was so afraid when I pushed Thomas.\u201d Jeremy voice softened to a whisper, \u201cI was just as mean as he was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJeremy listen to me. \u00a0I agree it was wrong of you to push Thomas, but the reason why was not wrong. \u00a0You were defending someone you believed in. For that I\u2019m very proud of you.\u201d Adam drew the child into a hug. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI think that when you papa gets here the three of us will talk this out and help you find a good way to handle the kids that aren\u2019t so nice. \u00a0Your Uncle Hoss had the same problem and he found some great ways to be a friend rather than a bully. Is it a deal?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy grinned. \u00a0\u201cDeal.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Adam reached for the cookies and shared some with Jeremy. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa? \u00a0Was Thomas telling the truth about the building and\u2026.and the people?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Adam sighed. He\u2019d hoped Jeremy wouldn\u2019t ask that question. \u201cYes and no, Jeremy. \u00a0Yes a building collapsed and some workers were killed. It was a building your papa and I designed, but the Brennan Company was building it. \u00a0The investigators determined that our company didn\u2019t do anything wrong. It was the Brennan company that didn\u2019t follow the plans and used the wrong materials. \u00a0We had just found that out before you and I left Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWill Thomas\u2019s pa have to go to jail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam stood up, pulling Jeremy with him. \u00a0Heading back to the house, he looked at his grandson. \u201cI don\u2019t know what will happen to the Brennan company or their family. Now I think it\u2019s time for us to find some other things to think about, like afternoon chores. \u00a0And afterwards maybe we can play a game of horseshoes before dinner. <\/span><\/p>\n Jeremy whooped at that suggestion before running off to find Eric to help him with his chores. \u00a0Adam grinned as he watched the boys together. It would be a while before they could deal with all the problems in Boston but at least now he felt Jeremy was on the right path. Taking a deep breath of the fresh mountain air, Adam was glad to be home and he looked forward to the arrival of his youngest son and daughter-in-law. He was certain they would be pleased with the changes they would see in their son. Noticing Joe heading to the house Adam turned that way, quickening his steps to catch up with his baby brother. Yes it was very good to be home. <\/span><\/p>\n xXXx<\/span><\/p>\n A few weeks later, all the Cartwrights were once again on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Aaron and Michele had arrived a few days earlier and it was Jeremy\u2019s idea for a picnic by the lake.\u00a0 Joe, Jeremy and Jamie, who had just returned from a cattle drive, were diving and splashing in the water. Alice and Michele were sitting in a shady spot chatting about babies and watching the antics in the water. \u00a0Further down the shore, Eric and his older brother BJ were attempting to catch some fish for dinner, and not doing too badly despite the nearby horseplay. <\/span><\/p>\n Adam let out a deep laugh when Jamie and Jeremy managed to push Joe under water and he came back roaring like a sea monster. Hearing laughter beside him Adam turned to watch his son, who was sitting with his knees pulled to his chest and shaking with laughter. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOh, this is so much fun, Papa. \u00a0I think I\u2019m finally beginning to relax after all the stress of Boston.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam smiled, \u201cYou look more relaxed, son. \u00a0I have to admit I felt relieved when you told me about the charges against Brennan and that we were officially cleared. \u00a0That man has been a menace to the city for years but I am distressed that it took ten lives to get him shutdown.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Aaron shared his father\u2019s somber expression. \u201cI haven\u2019t told you yet but Michele and I very much appreciate what you were able to do to help Jeremy. He\u2019s like a completely different child.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Adam smiled at the gratitude of his son as he watched each of his family involved in their various activities. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMichele is looking so happy. \u00a0I assume the doctor had some good news for you two?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYes, she is doing very well. He said this time is very different from the last two times when she lost the babies. \u00a0We\u2019re very relieved. That is one reason we\u2019re only staying a month. The doctor wanted her back home for the remainder of her time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Aaron caught his father\u2019s change of expressions at his mention of returning home. He held his thoughts. After his mother died he knew his father had struggled with where to live. Aaron understood it was a difficult choice and he didn\u2019t want to influence Adam in any way. \u00a0Aaron realized this had to be his own decision. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGrandpa, Grandpa!\u201d Adam and Aaron were pulled from their somber thoughts by Jeremy\u2019s excited voice. \u00a0\u201cGrandpa, did you see? I swam, I swam in the water. Jamie helped me and I did it!\u201d The boy, dripping with water, threw himself into his grandfather\u2019s open arms and gave him a big, wet hug. \u00a0He whispered in Adam\u2019s ear, \u201cThank you Grandpa for everything. I love you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Pushing away, Jeremy was gone as quickly as he came. \u00a0Aaron laughed hard as his father tried to dry his soaked shirt. Adam gave up and joined in. \u00a0It was at that moment Adam felt a peace fill him. He knew without doubt that he needed to return to Boston. \u00a0There were still some Cartwrights who needed him. <\/span><\/p>\n After the laughter subsided, he turned to Aaron and grinned. \u201cI guess we\u2019ll all be heading home next month. \u00a0It seems there\u2019s still some work for me there.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n Aaron\u2019s face brightened with that news and he squeezed his father\u2019s shoulder. Despite being wet, Adam felt warm all over. Pa had taught him that family was everything and Adam knew he wasn\u2019t through being a grandpa just yet. Unable to contain himself any longer, Adam pulled off his boots, rolled up his pant legs and headed toward the water. \u00a0He couldn\u2019t let the younger Cartwrights have all the fun.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0brothers,\u00a0Family,\u00a0JAM,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright<\/p>\n