Feeling a bit of a smile tugging at his lips, Hoss replied, \u201cMy pa and brothers made me come here too. I ain’t got up the courage t’ ask nobody t’ dance. I ain’t never learned how noways.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhy can’t our families just leave us alone?\u201d the girl mused. \u201cI’d rather be fishin’ or walkin’ in the woods.\u201d She paused for a moment as if making a big decision. \u201cI went a-walkin’\u00a0today\u00a0and found me a purty rock. Y’wanna see it?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Hoss could feel himself relaxing. \u201cWhy, shore! Most folks don’t find beauty in rocks, but I do!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Her face brightening, the girl fished in her pocket and pulled out a smooth, shiny rock which she handed to Hoss.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYep,\u201d Hoss smiled, \u201cthat there’s a keeper. Lookit them colors! Where’d ya find it?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cDown by th’ crick not far from our wagon. We’ve spent two days outside o’ town restin’ th’ stock. Then we go on\u00a0tomorrow\u00a0to th’ Sacramento Valley. My pa bought some land there.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d was all Hoss could say. Feeling rather sad, he handed the rock back to the girl. \u201cIf you was gonna stay in Virginia City, I’d take ya to my fav’rite fishin’ hole. I’d even bait yer hook fer ya.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Snorting, the girl replied, \u201cI kin bait my own hook, thank you very much! I use bloodworms. What d’ you use?\u201d And then, just as naturally as could be, the girl\u00a0sat\u00a0down in the chair next to Hoss. And Hoss’s nervousness disappeared into thin air as the two began to talk.<\/i><\/p>\n
Ranging from bait to wild creatures, Hoss and the girl\u00a0sat\u00a0and talked about the things that they liked or disliked. At one point, Hoss realized that neither of them had introduced themselves.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cMy name is Hoss Cartwright. What’s your name?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cMike,\u201d came the answer.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s a kinda odd name fer a gal,\u201d Hoss said without thinking how it sounded.<\/i><\/p>\n
The girl shrugged her shoulders. \u201cMy pa wanted a son and planned on namin’ him ‘Mike’. What he got was a daughter and he named me ‘Mikaela.’ I reckon that was as close to ‘Mike’ as he could get.\u201d There was a pause. \u201c’Hoss’ is a strange name, too, y’know.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Somehow Hoss wasn’t offended by this although he cringed when kids laughed at him. He chuckled. \u201cYa got a point there. My real name is ‘Eric’.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Mike studied Hoss’s face and smiled. \u201cKin I call ya ‘Hoss’? It suits ya. And ya kin call me ‘Mike’.\u201d And the conversation continued just as naturally as if the two had known each other for a long time.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cUh-oh,\u201d whispered Mike. \u201cMy pa is givin’ me th’ evil eye ‘cuz I ain’t dancin’.\u201d She sighed, stood up and started to walk away.<\/i><\/p>\n
Thinking quickly, Hoss stood and gently took her arm. \u201cI tole ya that I cain’t dance. But we kin stand in th’ middle o’ th’ floor and pretend we’re dancin’!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Smirking, Mike gave a quick answer. \u201cOh, Hoss! Let’s do! And we kin keep on a-talkin’ at th’ same time!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
They were awkward at first but then began to relax. Toes got stepped on but, instead of being embarrassed, the two of them would giggle. One dance turned into two and then became three \u2013 and they grew comfortable with the rhythm of the music and with holding each other. Ben watched his middle son and smiled a fatherly smile. Smiles were also on the faces of Mike’s parents.<\/i><\/p>\n
Of course, every night comes to a close. Mike sighed; Hoss sighed but offered to escort her outside to the wagon that was waiting. Being beyond the other buggies and buckboards, Hoss and Mike found themselves alone in the moonlight.<\/i><\/p>\n
Rubbing the toe of his boot in the dirt, Hoss sighed again. \u201cI wish ya didn’t have t’ go to Sacramento.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Giving an equal sigh, Mike’s response was, \u201cI know. I don’t wanna leave. I jist metcha an’ wish we had a long time to do th’ things we like. But…\u201d Her voice trailed off as she smoothed out one of her pigtails.<\/i><\/p>\n
Hoss, who had never kissed a girl in his young life, now wanted a kiss. \u201cKin I kiss ya goodbye?\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Mike, who had never kissed a boy in her young life, also wanted a kiss. \u201cI ain’t never been kissed. I don’t reckon I know how.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
With a bright smile, Hoss remarked that neither of them knew how to dance before now but that they had learned. Awkwardly he bent to kiss Mike. Their noses bumped together and they were a little off target, but somehow their lips managed to meet in the sweetest of kisses.<\/i><\/p>\n
As Mike’s parents approached, Mike touched Hoss’s cheek. \u201cI’ll never forgit you, Hoss. I’ll never forgit\u00a0tonight.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Mike’s parents were here now and Hoss introduced himself and shook hands with Mike’s pa. He nodded at Mike’s ma and helped her into the wagon. Mike’s pa climbed aboard and they rode away with Mike looking longingly back at Hoss. Sadness overcame Hoss and, when Mike was out of sight, he just happened to look down at the ground. One of Mike’s ribbons had fallen from a pigtail and was just waiting for him to pick it up. Gently, he tucked it into his pocket. It would go in his box of \u201ctreasures.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Fast forward about ten years. Joe and Hoss heard a knock at the door which was opened by Hop Sing.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Joe! Remember when I told ya ’bout Mikaela a long time ago?\u201d Hoss’s voice was at a whisper. He was stunned.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I remember that. Your first dance and your first kiss.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I think that’s her at th’ door talkin’ to Hop Sing!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Joe looked again. \u201cWhere are the buck teeth and the freckles?\u201d He cocked his head and looked confused.<\/i><\/p>\n
Hoss strode forward, ignoring Joe’s question. \u201cYou gotta be Mike,\u201d he stated with assurance.<\/i><\/p>\n
Her face lit up. \u201cYou recognize me? But I look so much different now.\u201d Her hair was long and fell across her shoulders. There were still smattering of freckles on her face, but her buck teeth had straightened out and were now white and even. She slipped her arms around Hoss in a gentle hug. Beaming, she said, \u201cYou haven’t changed a bit. I’m going to be in Virginia City for quite a while and wanted to see you the very first thing. And here you are!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Hoss was speechless. The way she spoke had changed but the lilt in her laugh hadn’t. And then she kissed him gently; no nose-bumping and no being off-target.<\/i><\/p>\n
It wouldn’t be the last time they kissed. Practice does make perfect, you know.<\/i><\/p>\n
When the story was over Hoss and Joe\u00a0sat\u00a0in brotherly silence knowing how well everything turned out. Later,\u00a0the box was put in a safe place in Hoss’s room where it stayed for many years \u2013 and is probably still there now.<\/p>\n
END<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary:\u00a0 A box of treasures inspires brothers to remember another time from their lives.