{"id":2384,"date":"2009-07-31T10:25:23","date_gmt":"2009-07-31T14:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2384"},"modified":"2026-07-29T12:06:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T16:06:22","slug":"connecting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2384","title":{"rendered":"Connecting (by Dodo)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary:\u00a0 <\/span>Inspired by the July Writers Challenge – Adam and Little Joe’s relationship is tested when Adam returns from College.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span> K+\u00a0 Word Count: 3100<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Connecting<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the winter wind howled around the ranch house in the darkness of night Adam Cartwright stoked the fire for the umpteenth time then settled down again in his favourite leather armchair and stared into the flames. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The grandfather clock struck eleven and the young man gave a loud yawn then took a sip from his glass of brandy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019d had a long stressful day.\u00a0 In fact he\u2019d had a few aggravating weeks since his highly anticipated homecoming from college; Ben deciding within a short while of Adam\u2019s return to have a break away from the ranch with Hoss and celebrate his middle son\u2019s sixteenth birthday in San Francisco, happy in the knowledge he could leave his more than capable eldest in sole charge of the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In sole charge? \u00a0Adam gave a wry smile of disbelief.\u00a0\u00a0 For after arriving back home to his intense disappointment it soon became clear the ranch practically ran itself due to his father\u2019s hard work and attention to detail during his 4 year absence, and there was not much need for the newly acquired skills of the recently graduated Cartwright. \u00a0How na\u00efve he\u2019d been to think the ranch couldn\u2019t survive without him Adam reflected with a hint of chagrin, though his father had wisely told him to be patient as there\u2019d be plenty of time for him to make his presence felt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But even so Adam had wondered if he should answer in the affirmative the correspondence received the previous week from his favourite college tutor; the lecturer offering to send him letters of introduction to several professors within various European universities and so giving Adam the ideal opportunity to carry out a long held desire since early childhood to travel the world of academia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He\u2019d never expected nor really wanted to fulfil his ambition for many years yet but better now than be surplus to requirements on the Ponderosa, Adam pondered unhappily as he refilled his glass once again. However he knew he was really fooling himself, for that wasn\u2019t the main reason he was contemplating leaving the place he really loved beyond measure.\u00a0 Oh no!\u00a0 There was another cause much nearer and dearer to his heart, for it would seem not only could the ranch manage without him nowadays\u2026.so could Little Joe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam heaved a deep sigh of regret.\u00a0 Ever since his return he and Joe had failed to connect and have the close brotherly relationship they\u2019d once had.\u00a0 And with all the excitement of his eldest son\u2019s arrival Ben failed to notice the hidden tension slowly building under the surface between the two; the result being after his departure when the eldest and youngest Cartwright had been thrown together every day, things quickly went from bad to worse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Spoiling for a fight at every opportunity and always finding some reason or excuse to push Adam to the limits of endurance and into another heated argument, <\/strong>over their time together Joe gave the distinct impression each fraught-filled day he deeply resented his eldest brother\u2019s reappearance in his life; that evening after supper being no exception.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It all started when after checking the horses in the barn for the final time that night, Adam opened the front door of the ranch house and to his surprise found Joe still up and fingering the rifles standing in a row on the impressive looking rack that filled one wall of the great room; something he would have never dared do had his father been around.\u00a0 Conscious of this fact and with a frown crossing his brow, Adam asked what he was doing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just deciding which rifle is the best one to use,\u201d Joe replied with unusual bravado; apparently un-phased by his brother\u2019s arrival and question.\u00a0 \u201cMe and Mitch are planning going up to Eagles Nest for the weekend and hunt us some cougar.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Walking over and gently pulling his brother away from the potentially lethal weapons, Adam placed his hands on Joe\u2019s shoulders and looking down shook his head emphatically. \u00a0\u201cNo way squirt! You\u2019re not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With eyes blazing Joe squirmed and wriggled out of his brother\u2019s hold. \u201cDon\u2019t call me squirt.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t a kid no more!\u00a0 I\u2019m nearly eleven!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam lifted one corner of his mouth ever so slightly in amusement.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, point taken,\u201d he admitted. \u00a0\u201cBut you\u2019re still far too young to go camping miles from home, even with Mitch Devlin. \u00a0\u00a0And as for being allowed the responsibility of a firearm, don\u2019t even think about it!\u00a0 So please get up those stairs.\u00a0 It\u2019s way past your bedtime.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

However Joe was in no mood to have his well-laid plans thwarted by anyone, least of all his elder brother, without a fight. \u00a0\u201cYou ain\u2019t got no right to tell me what I can or can\u2019t do,\u201d he yelled, visibly irate and totally ignoring Adam\u2019s request.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t take orders from you and you can\u2019t make me!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stared at him wordlessly for a moment, biting his tongue and counting to ten in an attempt not to lose his temper and so rise to the bait once again. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhile I\u2019m in charge you do as I tell you whether you like it or not,\u201d he finally responded with a tight smile of certainty.\u00a0 \u201cNow go to bed!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unfortunately the expression on Adam\u2019s face appeared undeniably smug-like to Joe and so without thinking he levelled inappropriate foul language that no ten year old, especially a Cartwright ten year old had a right to know or express aloud. \u00a0It was at this point the ice-cold look that suddenly showed in Adam\u2019s brown eyes told Joe he\u2019d gone too far this time as his brother finally snapped and let out a loud angry sigh of pure exasperation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph Francis Cartwright if you ever speak to me like that again I\u2019ll teach you a lesson you\u2019ll never forget!\u201d he shouted over loudly as his face reddened with rage. \u00a0However, keen to keep his temper under control Adam then took a deep breath to calm down and consciously lowered his tone as he continued.\u00a0 \u201cSo little buddy, unless you want to visit behind the woodshed and have your backside tanned, I suggest you\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe widened his eyes in surprise; momentarily thrown at hearing his baby nickname for the first time in a long time.\u00a0 Then as the realisation of Adam\u2019s threat suddenly dawned on him he interrupted with a screech of incredulity.\u00a0 \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare\u2026you ain\u2019t my Pa!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But as he stared at Adam\u2019s grim expression Joe knew for sure his brother wasn\u2019t kidding.\u00a0 A multitude of emotions flooded through him\u2026shock, bewilderment, resentment and finally a scalding fury that made his body shake. \u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ve got no right to interfere in my life so why don\u2019t you just go back from where you came from and leave me alone.\u00a0 I hate you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam inwardly winced with hurt at Joe\u2019s explosive outburst but outwardly remained poker faced as the youngest Cartwright stared at his brother rebelliously; the words hanging in the room like a fog.\u00a0\u00a0 Without waiting for a response Joe then turned and stormed up the stairs towards his bedroom without a backward glance or a goodnight, leaving Adam to watch his disappearing back with a stony yet thoughtful expression on his face.<\/p>\n

His brother\u2019s cruel words upset Adam to such an extent that hours later and even after a few large glasses of his father\u2019s most expensive brandy he was still unable to shake off a feeling of gloom and despondency.\u00a0 Swishing what was left of his drink around in his glass he swallowed it back then purposefully picked up a volume of his favourite poems from the table and began to flick through the pages; but for once nothing caught his interest. He just couldn\u2019t concentrate on anything else except Joe, so he threw down the book in frustration as his mouth slowly curved into a small sad smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where had the cute and affectionate little brother he\u2019d loved so much and remembered so well from before he left for Boston gone?\u00a0 Now he hardly recognised the surly and argumentative scrawny reincarnation as he recalled their every fight, spat, clash of wills since he\u2019d returned to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 He wondered if it was just a phase that most children of Joe\u2019s age went through, but in his heart of hearts Adam knew it wasn\u2019t such a simple explanation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Four years lost.<\/em>\u00a0 That was the underlying cause for Joe\u2019s bad-mouthing and resentment towards him, Adam pondered sadly. Their years apart had left Joe not remembering the elder brother with whom he\u2019d once been so close; only welcoming back a stranger to whom he had to follow orders and whose authority he clearly resented\u2026a stranger he obviously didn\u2019t like much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pushing off his chair Adam made his way to his father\u2019s writing desk at the far side of the room and sat down, removing a Massachusetts University crested letter from the top pocket of his shirt and reading the contents then re-reading them again.\u00a0 Opening a drawer and pulling out a pen and a sheet of writing paper, he glanced around; suddenly conscious of the large room filled with the happy memories of year\u2019s gone bye and still not sure which course of action to take.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What to do\u2026go\u2026.or stay?\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

However as he absently drummed his fingertips on the desk top the more Adam deliberated the more he could imagine the uneasy relationship between Joe and himself intensifying as time went on.\u00a0 And so after a few further moments consideration the decision was made.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had no intention of threatening the stability of the Cartwright family with his presence, and for the sake of peace there was no point delaying the inevitable Adam decided with a sigh of resignation. \u00a0The Ponderosa could and would continue to function without him so he\u2019d write to the professor and accept his offer of introductions; travel the world, just as his father had once done.\u00a0 And though Pa would be saddened to lose his eldest so soon after his return home, he\u2019d always said he would never stop any of his son\u2019s following their dream and would let him go without condemnation or rebuke\u2026never to know the real reason why.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As for amiable Hoss, he would understand and accept his elder brother\u2019s decision, wish him luck and grow to be his father\u2019s right- hand man\u2026and a good one too! Of that Adam had no doubt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And Little Joe\u2026.well it was obvious they were as different as chalk and cheese, the years that separated eldest from youngest obviously too big a gap, Adam silently convinced himself.\u00a0 \u00a0Joe would probably just say good riddance and eventually forget he ever had an elder brother he once idolised during his early years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With a cold chill of inevitability in his gut about his last notion, Adam dabbed the point of the pen into a small silver inkwell and let his hand hover above the paper for a moment as he considered what to write. And it was at that point the unexpected squeak of a loose floor board on the upstairs landing made him look up quickly, and a tousled haired Joe, blurry eyed, bare footed and wearing a far too large striped nightshirt for his skinny frame came into view.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly he walked down the stairs, sensing but refusing to catch Adam\u2019s penetrating gaze and a couple of times nearly tripping on the overlong hem.\u00a0 Deliberately ignoring the comedic aspect of Joe\u2019s ill fitting night attire, Adam forced himself to remain stern faced and looked at him questioningly as his baby brother stood with his head bowed on the last step, purposefully gnawing on his bottom lip.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An uncomfortable silence followed as Adam recognised the tell-tale sign; something serious was bothering him.\u00a0 \u201cJoe what\u2019s wrong?\u201d he eventually asked; his throat tightening with guilt as he silently thought apart from the fact after four years apart I\u2019m suddenly back in your life and ordering you about like I have a God-given right.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unaware of his brother\u2019s private remorseful deliberations Joe nervously wiped his sweated palms across his front. \u00a0\u201cI wanted to say sorry for being such a pain in the butt lately and I\u2019ll try to behave better from now on,\u201d he answered in a whisper, fleetingly meeting Adam\u2019s piercing gaze then quickly looking away. \u201cAnd \u2018bout what I said earlier. I didn\u2019t mean it Adam\u2026I don\u2019t hate you\u2026I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The admission was like music to Adam\u2019s ears and for a moment he was astounded into silence.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThanks Joe\u2026apology accepted and I love you too,\u201d he answered at last with a tender smile.\u00a0 Then expecting him to race back up the stairs Adam waited for movement but to his puzzlement Joe showed no desire or inclination to return to his bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Silence once more ensued as Adam studied his brother\u2019s miserable looking face; Joe looking confused as if his emotions were in turmoil and he was summoning up the courage to say something else but wasn\u2019t sure whether he should.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not wishing to pressurise Adam said nothing and waited but still there was no sign of Joe speaking up.\u00a0 \u201cWhat else is bothering you little brother?\u201d he finally coerced gently.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cAre you feeling all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe just gave a hardly perceptible nod then with his voice low and hushed he answered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve had a really bad dream and now I can\u2019t sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Suddenly the corner of Adam\u2019s mouth twitched with remembrance as he recalled the many times a five year old Little Joe would use that same excuse to come downstairs and sit in front of the fire on his elder brother\u2019s lap until eventually slumber overcame him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A long forgotten feeling deep and warm fluttered in Adam\u2019s chest and he immediately put down his pen, pushed back the chair then walked over, looking down and noting the youngster\u2019s red rimmed eyes and flushed cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cA bad dream eh?\u201d he queried; his voice equally soft and quiet to match Joe\u2019s tone.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was it about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe raised his gaze and took an anxious gulp as he stared at the concerned expression on his brother\u2019s face.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt was about you,\u201d he confessed then quickly lowered his eyes once more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam grinned; keen to lighten the mood.\u00a0 \u201cAbout me?\u00a0 More like a nightmare then.\u201d\u00a0 But Joe refused to smile back at the joke and tentatively Adam tilted up his chin with his finger before continuing.\u00a0 \u201cWould\u2026would you like to tell me about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As a single tear ran down over his cheek Joe nodded so Adam made comfortable in his armchair and to his surprise and delight his brother joined him and settled on his knee as if it were the most natural thing to do; happily resting his head on his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI dreamt you left us all for a second time because of me and vowed you\u2019d never come back\u2026ever, no matter how much I begged,\u201d Joe admitted in a muffled whisper, the misery in his voice more than apparent.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t even say goodbye and I never saw you any more\u2026.just like what happened with my Mama.\u00a0 \u00a0I woke up scared, crying.\u00a0 I was so afraid it was really gonna happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Abruptly Joe then burst into tears, burying his face against his brother\u2019s neck. \u00a0And instantly overwhelmed by a feeling of brotherly protectiveness that originally came to the fore at the time of Marie\u2019s tragic and untimely death, Adam held him in a tender embrace, stroking Joe\u2019s hair in a comforting fashion until his crying ceased.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want me to go away then?\u201d Adam finally asked as he brushed away a strand of hair which had fallen across his brother\u2019s forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Swallowing back a loud sob Joe raised his eyes which still brimmed with tears of remorse and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWhen you called me little buddy I slowly got to remembering how it was before you went to college\u2026how I\u2019d cried for days after you\u2019d gone \u2018cause I missed you so much,\u201d he burst out then sniffled again and wiped his sleeve across his nose.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease don\u2019t leave me again Adam.\u00a0 I want you to stay\u2026I really do. I don\u2019t want you to go away ever and that\u2019s the truth.\u00a0 You won\u2019t, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With his heart turning cartwheels of joy over and over Adam looked towards the letter on his desk and swallowed hard.\u00a0 If he\u2019d had second thoughts about moving away they were now completely gone.\u00a0 Joe wanted him to stay\u2026the world could wait.\u00a0 \u201cNo little brother\u2026.I don\u2019t aim to go anywhere\u2026least ways not for a long time until you\u2019re all grown up. And when the time comes I\u2019ll definitely never, ever leave you without saying goodbye first.\u00a0 That\u2019s a promise.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe looked at him closely with large, doleful eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI guess,\u201d he answered warily; his voice still uncertain.\u00a0 \u201cYou really promise Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI really promise\u2026cross my heart and hope to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This seemed to finally satisfy the youngster who now with a smile of relief on his face and tears dried snuggled even closer into his brother\u2019s body. He tried to hide his weariness by smothering a sleepy yawn but failed miserably in his deception and Adam gave him an affectionate squeeze.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTired buddy? \u00a0Maybe you should get up to bed,\u201d he directed reluctantly; not really wanting to break the spell of closeness that seemed to have formed between them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe shook his head determinedly. \u00a0\u201cCan\u2019t I sit here with you a while?\u00a0 I won\u2019t be no bother\u2026honest.\u00a0 I\u2019ll close my eyes and start counting sheep like I used to do when I was little.\u00a0 Do you remember you used to tell me if I could count up to a hundred of those pesky creatures and still not fall asleep you\u2019d read me a story?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam chuckled and ruffled Joe\u2019s hair.\u00a0 \u201cI remember very well little brother. I\u2019m just surprised after all this time you do.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI still don\u2019t remember a lot of stuff,\u201d Joe admitted with a wistful sigh.\u00a0 \u201cBut I do remember some\u2026and that you were the best brother a brother could have.\u201d Then screwing his eyes tight began to quietly and slowly count.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was no surprise to Adam that Joe was asleep before he got to double figures and as he continued to hold him close Adam stared over at the fire again, relaxed and contented for the first time since returning home as he watched the embers now glowing brightly in the hearth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And as he looked down at his brother, so snug and trusting in his arms, Adam kissed the top of his mass of curls and sighed with new found elation and happiness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At last he felt connected.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n

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

Summary:\u00a0 Adam and Little Joe’s relationship is tested when Adam returns from College.<\/p>\n

Rated: K+\u00a0 Word Count: 3100<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":375,"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_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,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1091,23,30,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-joe","category-drama","category-prequels","category-challenges","wpcat-1091-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-40-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\/coming-soon-5.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384","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\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2384"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2384\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}