{"id":35073,"date":"2020-12-25T00:06:12","date_gmt":"2020-12-25T05:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35073"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:38:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:38:54","slug":"homesick-by-patina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35073","title":{"rendered":"Homesick (by Patina)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000; font-size: 14pt;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-GB\">Bonanza<br \/>\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<br \/>\n* Day 6 *<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Summary:\u00a0 Far from home, a special person helps ease the ache.<\/p>\n<p>Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 1,840 words<\/p>\n<p><em>Note:\u00a0 This story was written for the Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar, originated in the Forums.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Homesick<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>December\u00a01849<\/p>\n<p>Abel Stoddard strode alongside his grandson, occasionally glancing at items in shop windows.\u00a0\u00a0The former sailor had all the material possessions he required and the best Christmas present of all\u2014the company of his only grandchild.\u00a0\u00a0He caught a glimpse of Adam\u2019s profile in a shop window and the slumped shoulders told Abel all he needed to know about the young man\u2019s thoughts.\u00a0\u00a0Every man wanted to be safe in harbor for the holidays but Abel knew this young man wanted to be docked in port, basking in the warmth and companionship of his father and brothers.<\/p>\n<p>Despite pointing out the occasional item in a storefront, Abel noted his grandson\u2019s disinterest in the few mumbled words or shakes of the head.\u00a0\u00a0The older man knew there had to be something that would catch the younger man\u2019s eye, even if it was a woolen scarf or a penny\u2019s-worth of candy.<\/p>\n<p>The older man stopped for a moment to admire the trim lines of a ship ensconced within a glass bottle.\u00a0\u00a0He closed his eyes for a moment and remembered the creak of timbers and wind-caught sails as his ship sliced a path through the waves.<\/p>\n<p>When he opened his eyes, Adam was no longer beside him.\u00a0\u00a0Abel glanced to and fro, worried Elizabeth\u2019s son had been shanghaied.\u00a0\u00a0The tightness in the old man\u2019s chest eased when he caught a glimpse of Adam a couple blocks down the street from where they\u2019d come.\u00a0\u00a0He tugged at the collar of his coat before setting off after his grandson.<\/p>\n<p>Abel caught the scent of perfume, a blend of spice and carnations.\u00a0\u00a0He understood why his grandson had set off in pursuit of the source yet he began preparation of the lecture he\u2019d give the lad once he\u2019d caught up to the young man.\u00a0\u00a0His eyebrows drew together when he espied Adam entering a chandlers\u2019 shop as the young man had not shown an interest in the sea.<\/p>\n<p>The perfume\u2019s scent grew stronger as Abel reached the shop\u2019s doorway.\u00a0\u00a0He stepped within and nearly collided with a clerk carrying a box the man could barely see over.\u00a0\u00a0After the clerk passed, Abel noted his grandson was trying to appear interested in a Chinese porcelain blue-painted vase.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAbel!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The old sailor turned at the feminine voice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow wonderful to see you!\u201d the woman said.<\/p>\n<p>The perfume mystery was at last solved.\u00a0\u00a0Abel clasped the young woman\u2019s hands in his and gently laid a kiss upon her cheek.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEugenie, why didn\u2019t you send word you and Simon are in port?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe arrived two days ago.\u00a0\u00a0Simon is supervising the unloading.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI believe my grandson is intrigued by your perfume.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Abel snapped his fingers to get Adam\u2019s attention and gestured for him to come over.\u00a0\u00a0He draped a protective arm across his grandson\u2019s shoulders and pulled him a mite closer.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cEugenie, this is my grandson, Adam Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0Adam, this Eugenie Bowen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam nodded and seemed to freeze when Eugenie extended her hand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe won\u2019t bite,\u201d Abel said.<\/p>\n<p>Eugenie laughed far too robustly for polite company, which Abel found most endearing.<\/p>\n<p>Abel loosened his grip on his blushing grandson and Adam gently clasped Eugenie\u2019s hand in greeting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCartwright?\u201d she asked.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re Benjamin\u2019s son?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDo you know him?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve made his acquaintance.\u00a0\u00a0In New Orleans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Abel cleared his throat and pulled his pipe from his pocket.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI might as well take a look around while we\u2019re here.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He pretended interest in various items as he battled the temptation to eavesdrop.\u00a0\u00a0Eugenie was very married and her years of traveling on ship with Simon had made her an expert hand at warding off unwanted attentions from young men.\u00a0\u00a0She had a way of using words to cut a man to the bone but doing so in such a manner that left the recipient unsure if he\u2019d been insulted or complimented.\u00a0\u00a0Abel knew his grandson to be a mannerly lad and hoped having another person to talk to who knew Ben would hopefully ease the young man\u2019s homesickness.<\/p>\n<p>At the swish of skirts, Abel set down a woolen cap he\u2019d plucked from a box and pulled his pipe from his mouth.\u00a0\u00a0He tapped the pipe bowl against the palm of his hand to loosen the dottle and deposited it on the floor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMrs. Bowen says she and Mr. Bowen would like to stop by this evening, if that\u2019s all right with you, Grandfather.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAye,\u201d he said, with a raised eyebrow for Eugenie.\u00a0\u00a0He stuffed the pipe into his coat pocket.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSimon would enjoy trading tales with a fellow sea dog and I would like to hear more of Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShall we say eight bells?\u201d Abel asked.<\/p>\n<p>Eugenie kissed the older man\u2019s cheek and said, \u201cUntil then.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Both men watched Eugenie head for the back of the store, clerks tugging their forelocks as she passed.\u00a0\u00a0Abel and Adam sighed in unison before exiting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow did you come to know the Bowens?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSimon sailed on the Wanderer for a few voyages.\u00a0\u00a0He was an ambitious young man so he left my employ and apprenticed himself to another captain.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When the lad wanted something, he found a way to get it.\u00a0\u00a0He was soon in charge of a small fleet!\u00a0\u00a0Simon arrived in port with Eugenie as his wife ten years ago.\u00a0\u00a0I imagine he followed her like a puppy the first time he saw her, much as you did this afternoon, and threatened to sling her over his shoulder like one of the Sabine women if she wouldn\u2019t wed him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam broke into a coughing fit and Abel slapped the young man\u2019s back several times.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI exaggerate, lad.\u00a0\u00a0Eugenie is a fine lass, and you saw today that she wears authority like cloak.\u00a0\u00a0I\u2019ve no doubt Simon had to woo her with fine words and flowers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrandfather?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAye, lad?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wasn\u2019t following her like a puppy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The older man steered his grandson to a bench along the waterfront.<\/p>\n<p>Adam sat and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, chin resting atop his clasped hands.\u00a0\u00a0Abel had to stop himself from adopting the same posture.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was the perfume,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cFor a moment I thought Marie was still alive.\u00a0\u00a0That she and Pa had come to visit.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0The young man sat back then slouched.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I embarrassed you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For a moment, Abel watched the seagulls gliding over the restless water, keening for sailors who\u2019d succumbed to the depths.\u00a0\u00a0Out of habit he silently uttered a prayer for their souls.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou only worried me, lad.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He puffed his cheeks and blew a breath through pursed lips. \u201cYou\u2019d disappeared and I\u2019d feared something terrible may have happened.\u00a0\u00a0How could I face your father if it had?\u00a0\u00a0He\u2019d think he\u2019d left you in the care of a doddering old fool not fit for land or sea.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen I saw you and pursued.\u00a0\u00a0When I caught the scent of perfume, I\u2019ll allow that I was worried.\u00a0\u00a0It was a mighty relief to find you in a safe harbor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMrs. Bowen is a nice lady,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAye.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe reminds me some of Marie only Mrs. Bowen doesn\u2019t use as much French.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Abel snorted and fixed his grandson with a look.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLet her temper get the best of her and Eugenie forgets English.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam\u2019s shoulders shook as he tried to hold back his laughter.\u00a0\u00a0Abel felt relief that the visit with Eugenie appeared to have raised the young man\u2019s spirits.<\/p>\n<p>Abel slapped Adam\u2019s back and said, \u201cWe\u2019d best return home, lad.\u00a0\u00a0We don\u2019t want the Bowens to catch us unprepared.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>*<\/p>\n<p>A knock on the door coincided with the grandfather clock ringing the first of eight bells.\u00a0\u00a0Abel straightened his collar then checked over his grandson as the housekeeper answered the door.\u00a0\u00a0He and Adam stood flanking a tray bearing brandy and glasses atop the table, awaiting their guests.\u00a0\u00a0Both men deeply inhaled the familiar scent of perfume.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou old salt,\u201d said Simon as he and Abel embraced with enthusiastic backslapping.<\/p>\n<p>Adam held out his hand to welcome Eugenie.\u00a0\u00a0She took his hand and gently placed a kiss against his cheek.<\/p>\n<p>Eugenie winked at Adam.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSimon, tear yourself away from that old man and meet Benjamin\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simon gave Abel one last hearty slap against the shoulder before turning his attention to the young man.\u00a0\u00a0He looked Adam up and down, noting the young man\u2019s bearing held the promise of authority.\u00a0\u00a0Extending his hand, he said, \u201cI see Ben and the captain in you.\u00a0\u00a0It\u2019s a pleasure to meet an old friend\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you, sir,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot so formal, young man.\u00a0\u00a0Please, call me Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, sir, Simon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simon laughed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy don\u2019t you and Abel have a drink while Adam I retire to the parlor,\u201d said Eugenie.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAdam has promised to tell me of Nevada.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simon and Abel raised their glasses in salute.\u00a0\u00a0Eugenie nodded to them both then took Adam\u2019s arm, steering him out of the room.<\/p>\n<p>When they reached the parlor, Eugenie withdrew her arm and reached into her reticule, pulling out a velvet pouch and holding it forth.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI want you to have this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t have a gift for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not asking for anything in return.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He took it and opened the pouch\u2019s neck.\u00a0\u00a0His brows drew together as he reached his fingertips in and felt glass.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGo on,\u201d said Eugenie in encouragement.<\/p>\n<p>Adam\u2019s face pinked at the sight of the perfume bottle.\u00a0\u00a0Marie had ordered her perfume from the same shop in New Orleans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease don\u2019t be embarrassed,\u201d Eugenie said.\u00a0\u00a0She laid her hand on his arm.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt may not have more than a few drops left in it but it\u2019s the scent that\u2019s important.\u00a0\u00a0I know the pain of being far from home.\u00a0\u00a0May this help you recall happy memories of your family, especially of Marie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam blinked back tears as he met her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say except thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Eugenie\u2019s smile alone seemed to brightly light the room.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At the sound of approaching footsteps Eugenie took the bottle from him and put it back in the pouch.\u00a0\u00a0As she put the pouch in his coat pocket she whispered, \u201cMerry Christmas, mon ami.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHas my grandson filled your ears with tales of trees that touch the sky and bears as large as houses?\u201d asked Abel.<\/p>\n<p>Eugenie laughed and crossed the room to put her arm around her husband\u2019s waist.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHe doesn\u2019t exaggerate as you old sailors do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Simon growled in mock fury and Abel chuckled at her impertinence.<\/p>\n<p>The housekeeper brought in the tray bearing the decanter and two more glasses.\u00a0\u00a0Abel poured and served Eugenie and his grandson before refilling his and Simon\u2019s glasses.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo what shall we toast?\u201d asked Simon.<\/p>\n<p>Adam caught Eugenie\u2019s eye and she winked.\u00a0\u00a0He lifted his glass and said, \u201cTo memories.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The End<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I chose perfume with mischief in mind but my muse had a different idea.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Character<\/strong>: Adam<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gift<\/strong>: Perfume<\/p>\n<p>Inspired by:\u00a0 Elizabeth, My Love<br \/>\nDirector:\u00a0 Lewis Allen<br \/>\nWritten by:\u00a0 Anthony Lawrence, David Dortort (creator)<\/p>\n<p>Link to Bonanza Brand 2020 Advent Calendar &#8211; Day 7 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=35076\">A Bonbon Too Far by Sierra 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Forums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":5835,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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":""},"categories":[1005,23,30,40],"tags":[1062],"class_list":["post-35073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-prequels","category-challenges","tag-advent-calendar","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":1239,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46774,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=46774","url_meta":{"origin":35073,"position":0},"title":"On the Way West (by wx4rmk)","author":"wx4rmk","date":"December 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Though many people choose to write a story for the Advent Calendar, members are free to choose how they wish to respond to their prompt. Drawn for the Bonanza Brand 2023 Advent Calendar.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Prequel&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Prequel","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=30"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":49964,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49964","url_meta":{"origin":35073,"position":1},"title":"Ponderosa Haiku (by wx4rmk)","author":"wx4rmk","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 No one signed up for the fourth, so this day was opened to all members in the Forums to try their hand at writing poetry for the season. 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