{"id":50194,"date":"2025-01-15T19:50:03","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T00:50:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50194"},"modified":"2025-09-27T05:40:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T09:40:07","slug":"50194","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50194","title":{"rendered":"Collecting Pinecones (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is a collection of short vignettes meant to be enjoyed like chocolates from a box.\u00a0 Each vignette was inspired by a prompt in the form of a quote from literature. The quote and its source is used to title each vignette.\u00a0 Acknowledgement is given to the authors that provided inspiration and to JC for choosing the quotes for the 2024 Pinecone Challenges.\u00a0 Characters, topics, and genres are varied, and all questions are not answered.<\/span>
\nRating: T warnings: mentions of corporal punishment, adult topics word count: 11,416<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Ben~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“There are all kinds of love in the world, but never the same love twice.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Scott Fitzgerald, “The Sensible Thing”<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie watched Joe set his napkin over the uneaten food on his plate, rise, and walk away from the table and up the stairs.\u00a0 His eyes went to his pa\u2019s face and saw the blatant concern in his Ben\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHe ate a little something.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s eyes turn to his youngest son.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s grieving.\u00a0 We can\u2019t expect….\u201d\u00a0 His voice trailed away.\u00a0 <\/span>First<\/span><\/i> Hoss, then Alice and the baby, no word from Adam in so long… so much to grieve.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe truly loved her.\u00a0 She… made him, um, different somehow.\u00a0 He said she made him better, and the baby… he wanted to be a pa so much, he… he kept telling me about how I had to get ready for being an uncle.\u201d\u00a0 Jamie swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cI woulda been the only uncle there, ya know, the only one around every day.\u201d\u00a0 His voice faded to a mere whisper.\u00a0 \u201cI woulda tried hard to be a good one.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sent Jamie a soft smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure you would have been a great success as an uncle.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI…\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>I know about losing folks I love, but I ain\u2019t never lost a wife or a child.\u00a0 You have, though.\u00a0<\/span><\/i> \u201cIs… I lost my ma and pa and Dusty, and we all lost Hoss… it just seems like Joe…, well, is losing the woman ya love, your wife, is it… well, is it the worst kind of grieving \u2018cause marriage joins ya as one?\u201d\u00a0 When Ben failed to answer, Jamie shifted.\u00a0 \u201cI guess grieving is grieving.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cGrief is grief just as love is love, but just as there are many kinds of love in life, each has its own kind of grief.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou had to grieve three wives.\u00a0 You managed, well, to get through it somehow.\u00a0 Can\u2019t you…\u00a0 I mean can\u2019t you tell him how…\u00a0 Not that I think ya haven\u2019t tried.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tried, and I shall keep trying.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie watched Ben rise and walk to his desk.\u00a0 The silver of the frames there caught his eyes.\u00a0 Jamie walked over and sat on the edge of the desk.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and Joe both said as how they were real different ladies, but I guess ya loved them all the same.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 No.\u00a0 Not more or not less. One was not better nor one inferior, but they were not the same.\u00a0 When you truly love a woman, son, it is a unique thing. Each time it is unique.\u00a0 It can be just as strong, just as deep, but it is never the same love twice.\u201d\u00a0 Ben leaned back steepling his fingers.\u00a0 \u201cTruth is your brothers have each loved a number of women too.\u00a0 Joe, well, Alice was not his first love.\u00a0 If I had a dollar for each time he said \u2018Pa, I love her.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna marry her.\u2019\u00a0 He meant it every time. No, Alice was not his first love.\u00a0 We just have to help him see she need not be his last.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat helped you see it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe love of those who remained.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Adam~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“And that was the October week when they grew up overnight and were never so young anymore.”\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

–Ray Bradbury, <\/span>Something Wicked This Way Comes\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>The campfire cast enough light over the boys faces to reveal overly relaxed expressions and unfocused eyes.\u00a0 Ross took a swig from the bottle and offered it to Adam.\u00a0 Adam drank and passed the bottle to Danny who downed a smaller swallow. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBesss leave off.\u00a0 Gotta save some for ‘morrow.\u201d\u00a0 Danny set the bottle down.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet ‘morrow worry bout \u2018morrow. Enjoy tonight.\u201d Ross reached for the bottle but unbalanced and fell forward.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Skinny.\u00a0 Li’le Dan\u2019s right.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t like we can get \u2018nother.\u201d Adam picked up the bottle.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAww,\u00a0 ya right.\u00a0 My un..unca is gonna kill me if he fines out I took thisun.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood thin’ we\u2019re gonna run out of whiskey \u2018fore anyboody sees us.\u201d Adam held up two fingers. \u201cOne more nit drinkin\u2019, one for the \u2018angover.\u201d\u00a0 He raised two more fingers.\u00a0 \u201cDay for travee…ling home.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The boys expounded on life awhile longer and then crawled into their bedrolls.\u00a0 They had managed to wrangle six days for a hunting trip to provide winter meat. During the past three days, they had hunted only a few jackrabbits and a couple of grouse for their own suppers.\u00a0 They planned on one more day of relaxation, one day of true hunting, and a day for the return trip. If they returned empty-handed, who could say it was anything more than poor luck.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They heard the wailing shortly before sunrise.\u00a0 Despite their headaches and a couple of episodes of retching each, they managed to find the source.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The wagon\u2019s wheels were gone, and its bed splintered.\u00a0 It lay on its side at the foot of a ravine. A little boy, silent and staring, held the wailing baby in his lap.\u00a0\u00a0 He sat next to the woman\u2019s body.\u00a0 The man\u2019s body was about twenty yards away.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam exchanged a look with Ross and took charge.\u00a0 \u201cDanny, take the kids back to camp.\u201d\u00a0 Danny was almost two years younger than Ross and Adam, but he was the eldest of six.\u00a0 \u201cRoss and I\u2019ll see to things here.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll look for something for the baby in the wagon first.\u00a0 Likely it\u2019s crying from hunger.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYea, see what might be of use and set it out.\u00a0 Adam and I can carry it back.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The shovel was easy to locate. The two older boys dug the graves, wrapped the bodies in blankets, and completed the burial. It included recited scripture, prayer, and a hymn.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning to camp, they sat down to biscuits and the beans Danny had heated.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBaby drank a bottle.\u00a0 The boy drank some water, but he won\u2019t eat. Ain\u2019t said a word.\u00a0 Couldn\u2019t find nothing more than bruises.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in shock.\u201d\u00a0 Ross nodded his agreement to Adam\u2019s statement.\u00a0 \u201cWrap him up warm.\u00a0 We best get started.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Danny and Ross took turns holding the baby on the ride home.\u00a0 The little boy rode with Adam\u2019s arms around him.\u00a0 When they arrived at the ranch house, Ben Cartwright took over.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That was the October week when boys grew maturer overnight and were never so young anymore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Green, The Fault in Our Stars<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first time, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.\u00a0 Missy was my friends\u2019 little sister, not as young as Hoss but not of an age or gender to participate in the important doings of our trio, those adventures we plotted on Sunday after services and managed to actually engage in from time to time.\u00a0 Perhaps the first seeds of love were sown when Missy knew but didn\u2019t tell, or even actively covered for us and saved my hide along with her brothers.\u00a0 Davy and Danny called her a pest but never a tattletale. I can see her now pushing her glasses up her nose, flouncing her skirts and curls, exclaiming, \u201cBoys!\u201d as she turned and darted away because we refused to take her with us.\u00a0 We never considered that there were no girls her age about for feminine fun and that our refusal left her with little companionship in those early days of the settlement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She was always about, though, when the families came together, and I knew sometimes she favored me.\u00a0 If she cut the cake, I always received the largest piece.\u00a0 When her father obtained a copy of a magazine or newspaper and had reread it to tatters, she passed those worn pages on to me.\u00a0 Little by little, I told her things I didn\u2019t tell others, made observations that would have left me open to teasing if her brothers had heard them.\u00a0 She was the first person I told about wanting to attend college.\u00a0 She was a realist, though I didn\u2019t know the word then, and I expected her to nay the desire as a foolish dream, but she pushed her glasses up her nose and said, \u201cThen you should.\u00a0 You’d best work up to telling your Pa about it though.\u00a0 Have all your reasons and ways thought through. You\u2019ve years before you\u2019ll be old enough to go, but start planning now, and don\u2019t listen to anything my brothers have to say about it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I followed her advice, and when she gave me a linen handkerchief she had embroidered with my initials as a good-bye, I kissed her cheek and promised to write.\u00a0 Then I tweaked her nose because she was only fourteen and her brothers were watching.\u00a0 I kept my promise, and she wrote me back.\u00a0 My letters to her were quite different from the ones I sent Pa and the boys.\u00a0 Hers were thoughtful and comforting in my homesick times.\u00a0 I have all twelve of them tucked away still.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then I came home.\u00a0 Two weeks and three days later I saw her arrive for Sunday services.\u00a0 She had put up her hair and put down her skirts and I saw her, a woman grown, for the first time.\u00a0 She saw me, called my name, and darted over to stand in front of me.\u00a0 Pushing her glasses up her nose, she smiled.\u00a0 I looked down at her and laughed with joy because I was in love.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“It began the first week of summer, a strange and breathless time when accident, or fate, brings lives together.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u202f–Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It began the first week of summer, a strange and breathless time when accident, or fate, brings lives together. \u202fAdam had achieved the age of majority, and for the first time had informed his father of his intention to ride up to the high country instead of asking permission. Surprisingly, Ben Cartwright had offered no objection. \u202fAdam had been in search of solitude and ridden to the meadow that held the farthest Cartwright line shack. \u202fWhen he saw smoke rising from its chimney, Adam planned to send whoever was squatting on their property on his way. \u202fHe had not, not after opening the door, rifle in hand, to find a slip of a girl no older than Hoss. \u202fThe girl had also been obviously pregnant. \u202fPerhaps it was the shock they both felt, perhaps the isolation, or perhaps a habit of honesty that resulted in the girl\u2019s story being fully told that evening to the young man without judgement in his eyes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She was unmarried and had been cast out by parents shamed by her condition. \u202fObtaining an old farm horse, she had set out, as many before her, for California. \u202fThe horse had managed only to take her into the high country before dying. \u202fShe had been walking when the little cabin came into sight. \u202fNecessity had made her enter; the absence of any obvious owner had allowed her to stay. \u202fThe line shack was well stocked; every Cartwright line shack was. \u202fThe girl had told herself God had answered her prayers.\u202f Adam told her his father would never begrudge her the use of the cabin or its supplies. \u202fHe also told her she would be leaving the with him. \u202fTwo days later they began a slow journey that ended a few hours away from Adam\u2019s home. \u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When her labor pains became intense, they were forced to stop. \u202fAdam fired three shots into the air four separate times praying someone would hear and come. \u202fSomeone did but not until an hour after the baby had arrived stillborn. \u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The girl had been taken to the ranch and cared for until Ben Cartwright arranged for her to live with an old couple near Carson City and work for them. \u202fShe would latter marry a neighbor\u2019s son and lead a contented life. \u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam had buried the baby at the lake, near but not next to his stepmother\u2019s grave. \u202fHoss had carved a wooden cross to mark the site. \u202fWhenever a Cartwright took flowers to Marie\u2019s grave, one blossom would be taken and placed on the child\u2019s grave.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I opened my eyes and saw the dark in all its original color.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–James Dickey, Deliverance<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I opened my eyes and saw the dark in all its original color.\u00a0 Every shade of gray, silver, and black.\u00a0 Yes, the mine was dark but not impervious to the weak light filtering in through the brush that had grown over the entrance. I could see enough to distinguish direction and boundaries.\u00a0 The question was whether I could make use of that ability.\u00a0 I moaned and made an attempt to rise, a futile attempt.\u00a0 The rock beneath me was slick with the water that dripped down the walls and offered little traction for my weakened muscles.\u00a0 <\/span>Blood loss always makes for inconvenient weakness.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>My hand moved toward my lower chest and rested over the wound.\u00a0 <\/span>Am I still bleeding?<\/span><\/i> I had bled so profusely before that it was hard to tell.\u00a0 <\/span>If I can\u2019t stand, I can crawl.\u00a0<\/span><\/i> I had crawled the final yards into the mine to hide like a fox in its den.\u00a0 <\/span>How long ago?\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>I had no way of knowing. A body doesn\u2019t mark time very well while unconscious.\u00a0 <\/span>Think!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 The sunlight indicated that at the most three hours could have passed unless I had spent an entire night insensible.\u00a0 No, I would never have roused at all if that were the case.\u00a0 <\/span>Perhaps it\u2019s only been minutes.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0 Minutes meant that they could still be looking for me.\u00a0 My ears strained to distinguish any sounds coming from beyond the entrance.\u00a0 <\/span>Are they out there looking?\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 The water dripped.\u00a0 <\/span>You can die in the dark or the light.\u00a0 Your choice.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>I had never been afraid of the dark, not like Little Joe, still my family was more likely to find my body outside in the light.\u00a0 <\/span>Hoss says the woods are a healing place.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>The woods were bound to be healthier than the cold dankness <\/span>of <\/span><\/i>wet granite.<\/span>\u00a0 Pa would want me to have a Christian burial.<\/span><\/i> I crawled a few inches then rested.\u00a0 A few more inches necessitated another rest.\u00a0 <\/span>The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.\u00a0 How many steps in a mile?\u00a0 How many minutes to crawl into the light?\u00a0 As many as it takes!\u00a0<\/span><\/i> It took too many.\u00a0 The sun had nearly set before I pulled myself through the brush at the mine\u2019s entrance.\u00a0 <\/span>Now what?\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>I listened.\u00a0 At least there was no sound of water dripping.\u00a0 There also was no sound of riders.\u00a0 My hand moved to my hip.\u00a0 My gun was still there.\u00a0 I managed to drag the pistol from the holster.\u00a0 I tried to lift it and failed.\u00a0 <\/span>Well then…\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>I did manage to make sure the barrel was pointed away from me before I pulled the trigger.\u00a0 <\/span>Three times, that\u2019s always been the signal. <\/span><\/i>I closed my eyes to a deeper darkness<\/span>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I opened my eyes to a white light without color.\u00a0 I blinked and willed my eyes to focus. A wall, a white wall, I knew that wall. I was home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“He waited for her to say more, but only silence rolled about them.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dorothy B. Hughes, In a Lonely Place<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, that\u2019s that. You leave at the end of the week.\u00a0 It\u2019s not as if you ever made any promises.\u201d\u00a0 Her words were resigned; her tone was not.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He waited for her to say more, but only silence rolled about them.\u00a0 He reached toward her, but she shook her head, and he let his hand drop.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I made no promises.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>I\u2019ve spoken no promises. I\u2019ve been very careful not to speak the words.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She looked directly into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cNo promises, just…\u201d She looked away.\u00a0 \u201cYou vowed you love me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot enough to stay.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t, not any more than you can go.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I could, would you take me with you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI want you with me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn your western Eden, do you want me there?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a ranch.\u00a0 If it was Eden, you could come.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t want to be here; I don\u2019t want to be there.\u201d\u00a0 She gave him a wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd nowhere in all the miles in between is there a place where we could find an Eden of our own.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m needed there as I am needed nowhere else.\u00a0 So, no, no other Eden.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She rose and turned her back to him and wrapped her arms around her waist.\u00a0 \u201cThere could be a need I\u2019ve yet to tell you of.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo. I told the truth when I said that could never be.\u00a0 Is that why you can leave me?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She turned to face him again. \u201cI could say that I can\u2019t live without you, but the truth is I can live without you as well as you can live without me.\u00a0 We aren\u2019t children; we\u2019ve lost loves before.\u201d Her hand reached toward him but stopped without touching him. \u201cThey\u2019ve lived without you for years now, and you without them.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was before… before he died.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI always intended to return.\u00a0 The time has come.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, go!\u201d\u00a0 Anger now put a steel edge to her words.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather not think of you hating me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her laughter was rueful.\u00a0 \u201cLove, hate, either is better than indifference.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could never be indifferent to you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She shrugged. \u201cThat option passed away before I had known you a week.\u201d\u00a0 There was melancholy in her voice, and she shook her head slowly.\u00a0 \u201cI shan’t hate you, at least not for very long. Will you give yourself reason to hate me?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d He turned and picked up his hat.\u00a0 His fingers moved around its brim.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo hating.\u00a0 How civilized.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen there is no more to be said.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould I stand on the dock and wave good-bye?\u201d\u00a0 The cheerfulness in her tone was forced and sounded so.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you do, I\u2019ll blow you a kiss.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d rather have my kiss now.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His arm caught her waist and moved her lips to his.\u00a0 The kiss that followed was the deepest and longest they had ever shared just as a last kiss should be.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Hoss~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“He lay on his back in his blankets and looked out where\u00a0the quarter moon lay cocked over the heel of the mountains.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss lay on his back in his blankets and looked out where the quarter moon lay cocked over the heel of the mountains.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t suppose Adam\u2019ll be camping out looking at the stars anytime soon.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t expect they do that much in that Back East college.\u201d\u00a0 Old Ned took a sip of his coffee.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re missing Bucko a mite?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMore than a mite.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss rolled to face Ned.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe it wouldn\u2019t hurt so much iffen I didn\u2019t know it was gonna be for years and years.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be most grown before he comes back.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Old Ned let a grin settle on his lips as he did not consider sixteen most grown.\u00a0 Actually, he did not think of Adam at eighteen all that grown.\u00a0 \u201cWell, time stops for no man and growing for no boy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe\u2019s grown over half an inch since Adam left.\u00a0 Pa measured yesterday.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt Little Bit\u2019s urging no doubt.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t never seen a child more eager to grow up.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants to be like Adam and me.\u00a0 I really think he believes he can catch up to us.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe does.\u201d\u00a0 Ned chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWe won\u2019t spoil things for him by telling him he\u2019ll be baby brother when he\u2019s old as me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Adam\u2019ll always be big brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ned chuckled again.\u00a0 \u201cWell, he\u2019ll always be elder brother anyways; you\u2019ve pert near caught him on the big.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2019s told me lots that I\u2019ll always be his little brother no matter what size I get to be.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mind that that\u2019s the truth?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNaw, not the way Joe minds being the baby.\u00a0 Mostly, I don\u2019t mind it at all.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s a good big brother.\u00a0 He… he always…\u201d Hoss\u2019s words caught in his throat.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019m gonna do when I need him, and he ain\u2019t here.\u00a0 Letters are too slow.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor some things they are.\u201d\u00a0 Ned moved closer to the boy.\u00a0 \u201cWhen we don\u2019t have just the thing we need, we have ta make do with what\u2019s at hand.\u00a0 You\u2019ve got others right here to help ya through.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike ya brought me out hunting \u2018cause ya know I settle my mind best out looking at the land, and the sky, and the stars.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, ya have always been one for God\u2019s natural temple, so to speak, and the Boss is kinda tied down by responsibilities.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss ran his shirtsleeve over his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s, well, there\u2019s somethin\u2019else…\u201d Hoss sat up and faced Ned.\u00a0 \u201cI worry how good I\u2019ll be standing in for Adam when Little Joe needs him. I ain\u2019t like Adam no way in some things.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou be you for Little Bit.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t never been nothing wrong between you two.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut sometimes, sometimes he needs a brother like Adam even if he don\u2019t know it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThem times ya think \u2018now what would Adam do\u2019 and if there\u2019s a big need, ya do it. Ya know Bucko well enough for that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay.\u201d Hoss laid back and looked again at the stars.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Brothers~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“The house was very quiet, and the fog pressed against the windows\u00a0like an excluded ghost.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–E.M. Forster, Howard’s End<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The house was very quiet, and the fog pressed against the windows like an excluded ghost.\u00a0 Adam peered out the window nervously, saw nothing but swirling white, bit his lower lip, and sighed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs he coming?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s voice startled Adam. He turned and frowned down at his little brother.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing out of bed?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame as you; waiting for Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa will be home soon enough, and he best find you in bed.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019s both suppose ta be in bed.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in charge when Pa\u2019s not here.\u00a0 I\u2019ve told you more than once to go to bed.\u00a0 Now get!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss simply stood straight, solid, and unmoving.\u00a0 Adam gave a frustrated snort.\u00a0 He had serious reservations about his ability to drag his brother to bed if Hoss put up a real fight, so he resorted to a threat instead.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you looking for a spanking?\u00a0 I could give you one, you know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 It was a simple, abet confident, statement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be so sure, little brother!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss came to Adam\u2019s side and looked out the window.\u00a0 \u201cYa think Pa might have got himself lost?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa doesn\u2019t get lost.\u00a0 He sailed great oceans without getting lost.\u00a0 Fog is nothing to him.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill, ya can\u2019t hardly see you hand in front of your face out there.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll use his compass.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid he take it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course he did.\u201d\u00a0 Adam did not know if he was lying or telling the truth.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe we should send Mr. Ned looking for him.\u00a0 He\u2019ll go if we ask.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019d just have two wandering around in the fog instead of one. Besides, Pa may have thought it best to wait out the fog someplace safe.\u201d\u00a0 Adam emphasized <\/span>safe.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf Pa\u2019s not back when the fog clears tomorrow, Ned will go.\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing to be done tonight.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo to bed like obedient sons.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss stomped his foot.\u00a0 \u201cListen!\u00a0 I gots an idea.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes rolled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat idea?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe could put a lantern in the window.\u00a0 Pa told us about lighthouses, and they use lanterns.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd mirrors, big mirrors.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s hand tugged his right ear.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t got a big mirror.\u00a0 We do have Pa\u2019s shaving mirror though.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam pondered a few more minutes and then shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cIt couldn\u2019t hurt.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The brothers set about creating a beacon in the night with a lantern and a shaving mirror.\u00a0 Adam lit the lantern and then tugged at his ear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just step out and check…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBest not!\u201d For a four-year-old, Hoss managed quite a commanding tone.\u00a0 \u201cIf Mr. Ned sees ya outside, you\u2019ll be getting the lick\u2019en.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam harrumphed.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t see… oh, never mind.\u00a0 We\u2019ve done the best we can, I guess.\u201d\u00a0 He glared down at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cNow, you\u2019re going to bed!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou too?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cMe too.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two hours later, the sound of the door had both boys running from their beds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa! Pa! You made it back!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben caught both boys in his arms. \u201cThe light led me home!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“It was a dark and stormy night…”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Paul Clifford<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam came awake immediately.\u00a0 He opened his eyes but saw nothing until the lightening flashed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe? What the blazes!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, something went into the barn.\u00a0 Something big, and black, and shiny.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam boosted himself up.\u00a0 \u201cSomething went into the barn?\u201d Adam focused on the agitated eleven-year-old.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you know?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s raining torrents and dark as …well, dark.\u00a0 How did you see it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the lightening flash.\u201d\u00a0 Lightening flashed again illuminating the room offering evidence of the boy\u2019s truthfulness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBig, black, and shiny?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYea, whatcha gonna do?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed. \u201cGet up, I suppose, and have a look.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>If I don\u2019t, you won\u2019t go back to sleep, meaning neither will I.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam pulled on his pants and stomped his bare feet into his boots. He did not bother with a shirt.\u00a0 He went down the stairs trailed by Little Joe.\u00a0 He detoured to acquire a shotgun.\u00a0 Little Joe snatched up his rifle.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shook his head.\u00a0<\/span> He\u2019s scared.\u00a0 \u201c<\/span><\/i>Be careful with that.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould I get Hoss?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ve heard \u2018let sleeping dogs lie\u2019, I think we\u2019ll let our sleeping brother lie.\u201d <\/span>Lucky dog!<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I\u2019ll…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou shall stay in this house.\u00a0 Understood?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe recognized his brother\u2019s tone. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stopped at the door and reached for his slicker.\u00a0 <\/span>Big, black, and shiny!\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>The tumblers in his mind clicked, and he counted the slickers hanging against the wall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, stay here and, for the sake of all that is holy, don\u2019t point that rifle at anything you don\u2019t see clearly and identify absolutely.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be real careful, Adam.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you leave the house, I\u2019ll scorch your britches good.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sent a glare in Joe\u2019s direction.\u00a0 \u201cUnderstood?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnderstood.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sighing, Adam ventured out into the dark and stormy night crossing to the barn and slipping inside.\u00a0 He located the faint glow coming from the farthest stall and walked toward it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoss!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, whatcha doing out here?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI came out to shoot you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShoot me!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if needed. I came out to protect our stock from the big, black, shiny invader our little brother saw.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to check on Dainty Lady.\u00a0 I just had a feeling.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs she in labor?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Just starting.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think she\u2019s gonna need some help.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a slim little thing.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t name her dainty for nothing.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll be staying then?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 You?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll have to let Joe know what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss and Adam both turned their eyes in time to see a slight figure slip through the door.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJoseph!\u00a0 I told you that I\u2019d scorch your britches if you left the house.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe approached and gave his brother a cheeky grin.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t wearing my britches.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam snorted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDainty\u2019s in labor.\u201d Hoss attempted a diversion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can stay, can\u2019t I, Adam, please? Pa\u2019d let me.\u00a0 Please.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter he\u2019s with us, then alone in the house.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Faced with two pleading brothers, Adam capitulated. \u201cFine.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The foal arrived just as the rain abated.\u00a0 Joe named him Stormy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Half the trouble in life is caused by pretending there isn’t any.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I sat before the fire pondering trouble.\u00a0 I have mainly found myself in trouble of my own causing not because I do not see the potential for it but because I find the assessed risk acceptable and think, some would say arrogantly, I can control things sufficiently to minimize it.\u00a0 When I\u2019ve miscalculated, I\u2019ve accepted the consequences.\u00a0 My little brother- yes, I know how big he is- has mostly found himself in trouble because he \u201csettled his mind\u201d that something must be done no matter the cost.\u00a0 Often the thing that had to be done was not letting a brother head into trouble alone.\u00a0 Not just a true believer but an eternal protector is that mule-headed, over-sized little brother of mine.\u00a0 Then there is my baby brother, the reason that I was not dreaming in my bed.\u00a0 Half the trouble he causes comes from pretending there isn\u2019t any possibility of trouble, if trouble there is, he will be able to avoid it, and if not, he will be able to slip away unscathed.\u00a0 Pa and I have done our upmost to convince him differently but have failed in the task.\u00a0 I despair of ever being successful but shall keep trying nevertheless.\u00a0 I frequently mention that Hoss is mule-headed; Little Joe just as frequently calls me granite-headed.\u00a0 I lay all his sons\u2019 stubbornness at Pa\u2019s feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened; Hoss entered.\u00a0 One look at my face, and he knew.\u00a0 \u201cSo, ya done found out.\u201d\u00a0 He jammed his hands into his pockets.\u00a0 \u201cAre you gonna handle it or tell Pa?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since turning twenty-one I had often \u201chandled it\u201d even when Hoss was involved.\u00a0 \u201cHaven\u2019t decided.\u201d\u00a0 I rubbed the bridge of my nose.\u00a0 \u201cHow blissfully unaware of the danger was he?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe knew it were dangerous, he just…\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s shrug conveyed the entirety of the situation.\u00a0 After all it was a familiar one.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just…\u00a0\u00a0 He put you in danger too, little brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss snorted.\u00a0 \u201cNo need to hold that against the young\u2019un. I ain\u2019t little no more.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou haven\u2019t reached your majority.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou and Pa are the onliest ones who ever mention that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are the only ones besides you that need to remember it.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe interrupted the conversation with his entrance.\u00a0 My finger crooked and then pointed to the spot in front of me.\u00a0 \u201cThis is your one chance to explain, Joseph, and you had better be convincing.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Adam, just listen…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I did listen.\u00a0 Before he was half-way through the sad tale, I knew how I could repair the damage, literal and otherwise.\u00a0 I also had a list of tasks that would serve to give both my brothers time and food for thought, and if Joe tried to shuck his share onto Hoss, he would receive the tanning he\u2019d earned.\u00a0 When Joe finished, I blistered both brothers\u2019 ears and sent them to bed.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I sighed.\u00a0 Half the trouble that came onto the Ponderosa was because Ben Cartwright\u2019s sons preferred to pretend it wasn\u2019t knocking at our door.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“If you can’t have what you choose, you just choose what you have.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Owen Wister, The Virginian<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam had learned acceptance as a very young child.\u00a0 Hoss had seemly been born with a greater share of it than most folks ever developed.\u00a0 Little Joe, well, Joe Cartwright seldom accepted anything not his choosing without a putting up a fight, or without an argument at least.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see why I have…\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause, Joseph, she will be our guest, you\u2019re the most appropriate in age, and your only other choice is remaining on the ranch and foregoing the dance altogether!\u00a0 Am I understood?\u201d\u00a0 Ben glared at his youngest while Little Joe struggled with his temper.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben departed, and Joe threw himself down on the settee deliberately placing his feet on its seat.\u00a0 \u201cI was gonna ask Sally Mecum.\u201d\u00a0 His whole body, not just his lip, slid into a pout.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cSally Mecum has done turned ya down at least seven times.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEight, but who\u2019s counting?\u00a0 Some girls play hard to get.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I hear, she ain\u2019t been playing too hard to get with Eric Summers.”\u00a0Little Joe snorted.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cEric Summers is a popinjay!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but I\u2019ll lay odds he\u2019s the one escorting Sally to the dance.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

()()()()()\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe stood on the porch watching the arrival of their guests from Sacramento: Mr. Alistair Sessions, Mrs. Sessions, and their daughter, Miss Lucille Sessions.\u00a0 He was polite when introduced but remained on the porch as his father, Adam, and the Sessions entered the house.\u00a0 Hoss stayed with his brother.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShould have known.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s arms crossed his chest as he muttered and shook his head.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, Little Joe…\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou saw her, Hoss.\u00a0 She… well, describing her as homely would be a kindness.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss\u2019s eyes darkened.\u00a0 \u201cYou best not let Pa hear ya talking like that!\u201d\u00a0<\/span> And ya best not do nothing to hurt that gal\u2019s feelings either!\u00a0<\/span><\/i> \u201cPa said ya had a choice.\u00a0 If your choice is to skip the dance, I\u2019ll take her.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat won\u2019t keep Pa from being mad.\u00a0 If I choose the ranch, it\u2019ll be days at hard labor: hard, dirty, punishing labor.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably.\u00a0 So, are you asking her, or am I?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that Adam says about choosing?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf ya can\u2019t have what ya\u2019d\u00a0 want to choose, choose to want what you can have.\u00a0 Good advice.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll ask her.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

()()()()()\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Little Joe turned toward Hoss as his brother entered his bedroom and sat down on the bed. <\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSurprised ya, didn\u2019t she?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLucille?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho else would I be talking about?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yea, I guess she did.\u00a0 She sure can dance, and she\u2019s got a good sense of humor.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a nice little gal.\u00a0 Spunky too.\u00a0 She sure put that mean mouth of Sally Mecum\u2019s in its place.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe laughed.\u00a0 \u201cShe sure did.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa learn anything from this, little brother?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe dropped his head and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cYea, guess I did.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u00a0 Some old sayings gots lots of sense in them.\u00a0 Books and covers, wanting what ya have, treating people like ya’d want to be treated.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYea, and listen to your older, wiser brothers!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“There is no stillness like the quiet of the first cold nights in the fall.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carson McCullers, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Adam heard his brother\u2019s approach.\u00a0 \u201cTemperatures dropping.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGonna be a cold night.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss sat down beside Adam and placed the jacket he carried onto his brother\u2019s lap.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot that cold.\u00a0 We won\u2019t have a real freeze for a while yet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s tone dismissed any concern as to the falling temperature.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFall\u2019s here though.\u00a0 Little Joe\u2019s already grumbling about needing a big fire.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe inherited Marie\u2019s thin blood.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Some years I don\u2019t think Ma really felt warm any time from October to May.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI imagine there were a few times Pa managed to get her warm even in the worst winter.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss turned his head and registered Adam\u2019s smart-aleck grin.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell? We do have a baby brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss backhanded his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019d still warm some of your parts if he heard ya talking like that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa is in with Little Joe near the fire.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019re out here with no jacket.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam heard the admonition in Hoss\u2019s voice and shrugged on his jacket but left it unbuttoned. \u201cHappy?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAin\u2019t looking to have ta pick up your slack when ya come down with one of your coughs.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to worry about picking up any slack…\u201d Hoss simply looked at his brother.\u00a0 Adam sputtered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d think I had weak lungs.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa had pneumonia last winter.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoc told ya to take care.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t always.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need to…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss cocked his eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t,<\/span> little brother<\/span><\/i>!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss raised his eyebrow higher.\u00a0 \u201cLittle?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s color heightened.\u00a0 \u201cGod give me strength!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cHe done already gave me plenty.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes but capitulated.\u00a0 \u201cAlright.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care to wear my jacket when it\u2019s cold.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u00a0 Why ya sitting out here in the cold anyways?\u00a0 Something fretting ya?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 Adam saw the doubt in Hoss\u2019s eyes. \u201cNo, really I just wanted a little quiet and Little Joe…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs in a chattering mood.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss accepted his brother\u2019s reassurance.\u00a0 \u201cIt is nice and quiet out here, a peaceful kind of quiet.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExactly. Quiet, peaceful, and still.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe first cold nights of fall do have a stillness of their own.\u00a0 Nature and wild things settling in and hunkering down for the coming winter.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, brother, way down deep there\u2019s a poet hunkering down in your soul.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI woulda thought you\u2019d have better judgement on the subject seein\u2019 how much of that poetry you read.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s some I\u2019ve read that I think you might enjoy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you or Pa read it out maybe.\u00a0 Both of ya can make about anything ya read out fine listening.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thank you for the compliment.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd for the jacket.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re gonna sit a spell longer?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I will now that I\u2019ll be warm.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnjoy yourself.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss rose.\u00a0 \u201cGonna check on that bay filly and then head in.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s smile widened.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Yes, after everything and everyone\u2019s been cared for, you\u2019ll be able to settle for the night.\u00a0 Thank you, Lord, for my mule-headed, eternally protective little<\/span><\/i> brother.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Time is the longest distance between two places.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam shuffled through the mail sorting it into stacks before he took one letter with him to his blue chair. He noticed his father at his desk.\u00a0 \u201cMail\u2019s sorted on the credenza.\u00a0 Should I…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t bother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben returned to his ledgers; Adam opened his letter. Ben was startled when minutes later he heard Adam\u2019s boots crossing the floor. \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 His son did not pause nor answer, and the door slammed behind him.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in blazes!\u201d\u00a0 Ben shook his head.\u00a0 A few minutes later, Hoss entered the house.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWhere\u2019s Adam off to in such a hurry? Is sumthin’ wrong?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but I intend to find out.\u201d Ben, though, had no opportunity to do so.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(AC)(AC)(AC)(AC)<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u201cBed ain\u2019t been slept in.\u00a0 Maybe he stayed in town last night.\u201d Hoss saw the worry clouding his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cNow, no need to go thinking there\u2019s been an accident or sumthin’. I\u2019ll check in town and, well, a few other places.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t find him and he ain\u2019t back before me, well, that will be time enough to send out the search parties.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa know Adam; how he\u2019d feel iffen…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, go find your brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(AC)(AC)(AC)(AC)<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss found him in a hotel room with a half full bottle of whiskey.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2019s fretting up a storm.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo tell him I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut ya ain\u2019t.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen just go.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou ate anything since lunch yesterday?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss took Adam\u2019s silence as a negative response.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna go send Tim\u2019s boy to tell Pa we\u2019re here and then get ya some food and coffee.\u00a0 Then you\u2019re gonna tell me what\u2019s eating you up.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep. My mind\u2019s settled on it.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss departed with the whiskey in his hand.\u00a0\u00a0 When he reentered, he put a cup of hot coffee in Adam\u2019s hand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s dead, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss sat down next to his brother. \u201cThe letter told ya.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cShe somebody ya knew back East?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, the first somebody I knew.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKnew bible like.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Some would say she made me a man.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa loved her.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot enough… I was young; she was older.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEnough that you\u2019re here licking your wounds.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was ten years and thousands of miles ago.\u00a0 It shouldn\u2019t…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHurt?\u00a0 Miles nor years don\u2019t block hurt.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss squeezed his brother\u2019s shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTime should\u201d He sighed. \u201cTime is the longest distance between two places, though.\u00a0 No stagecoaches, no trains nor ships for carrying you over time.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss studied Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is the more of it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI made promises; I broke them.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPromises about using some of them ships or trains?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think she believed me even then.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even know if I did.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid she make any promises?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, she couldn\u2019t keep hers either.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you ain\u2019t holding hers against her, don\u2019t keep holding yours against you.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss made his voice firm.\u00a0 \u201cNow, eat sumthin’ and get some sleep before we go home.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour mind is set on it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam capitulated; he always did when Hoss\u2019s mind was set.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I wanted to know the truth, and yet I was afraid of what I might learn.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>
\nDaniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure, Joe, that you want to hear all that I know?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I hesitated.\u00a0 I wanted to know the truth, the why of what they said, yet I was afraid of what I might learn.\u00a0 \u201cI asked, didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve asked, if less directly, before.\u00a0 Perhaps, it would be better if you asked Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa wouldn\u2019t… I\u2019ve tried to…\u00a0 It hurts him, Adam.\u00a0 I can see it in his eyes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam rubbed the bridge of his nose.\u00a0 \u201cIt would… not only anger him; it would hurt him if he knew I told you.\u00a0 He\u2019d think it a betrayal.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it wouldn\u2019t be, Adam; it wouldn\u2019t be.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s always said there is nothing he can\u2019t forgive a son.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s right hand tugged his left ear.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t handle… if he sees I\u2019ve hurt you too deeply…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can handle it; I know you think I am, but I not a kid anymore.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s lips curled into a wry grin.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt hurts more wondering, supposing.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps the time has come.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll only tell you what I\u2019m sure is true.\u00a0 I might be wrong, but I won\u2019t be lying.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust please remember that you do.\u00a0 Many people here and in New Orleans have said things about your mother that are vile and untrue, but as is often the case, the vilest lies grow from a mustard seed of truth.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I knew what lies he meant. I\u2019ve heard the insults since I was little.\u00a0 I\u2019ve split lips and broken noses over them.<\/span><\/i> \u201cMama never…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Marie was never a…\u201d Adam hesitated.\u00a0 \u201cShe was never a …\u00a0 She never sold her favors.\u00a0 She was never unfaithful to either of her husbands, I truly believe that, though she was accused.\u00a0 She was not an immoral woman.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I watched the shadows come into my brother\u2019s eyes.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut she was not an angel on earth.\u00a0 She was a woman, Joe.\u00a0 A beautiful woman who made some hard choices.\u00a0 Some of those choices many so-called respectable people, especially some women, would consider less than respectable even social and morally tainting.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat choices?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe worked in her cousin\u2019s gambling house as an enticement to men to come, to drink, and to wager.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe… flaunted herself?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never saw her there.\u00a0 I know she never flaunted herself after she married Pa.\u00a0 Not ever here.\u00a0 She was beautiful: she dressed well; she smiled and laughed easily.\u00a0 For some, particularly the jealous, that was enough to justify the accusation.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJealous… you\u2019ve said that when… well, you said that when Andy Cain called me a rogue.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t though, not the way he meant.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Marie wasn\u2019t any more than you are.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there more to tell.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA little, but that is truly the worst of it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen maybe I don\u2019t need to hear the rest.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen we\u2019ll leave it there.\u201d\u00a0 Adam put his hand on my shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cShe was worthy, Joe, of all our love.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I nodded.\u00a0 She was still an angel to me.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Under a quiet sky the planet turned, and horses ate, and men slept,\u00a0and death waited for morning.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0 — Louis L’Amour, Hondo<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Under a quiet sky the planet turned, and horses ate, and men slept, and death waited for morning.\u00a0 Fighting would begin with daybreak.\u00a0 Blood would scatter scarlet wildflowers across the meadow\u2019s lush grass, and like fallen petals the blood would darken in the sun.\u00a0 The cries of the wounded would join the birds\u2019 cries, and their moans would cover the scurrying sounds of the animals.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One man, awake and restless, stared up at the night sky telling himself the unease he felt was unwarranted.\u00a0 Still, he listened for the odd sound, scanned the night sky, and considered rousing the men.\u00a0 He told himself the men needed sleep, and that there was no reason to expect an imminent attack.\u00a0 There had been no signs that they were being followed; there was no more reason to fear attack tonight then there had been since their journey began.\u00a0 No, his worry came from deep within him.\u00a0 Perhaps it was the result of the responsibility he felt for the men who took his orders.\u00a0 Perhaps, he had worried too much on this trip because of the presence of both his little brother and his baby brother. Had that worry left a residue of fear in his soul?\u00a0 On previous nights, he had had reoccurring dreams – dreams where he had faced his pa unable to force the words from his lips, the words that would tell Ben Cartwright his young sons were dead.\u00a0 In others, they all were dead, and he watched his father turn over body after body looking for his children. If they all died, he doubted those who killed them would bother to move their bodies from the meadow.\u00a0 How long would it take someone to discover their bones?\u00a0 He stirred on his bedroll and jerked up when a soft voice came to him.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 the voice was his little brother\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cSumthin\u2019 wrong?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He turned his head and stared through the moonlight at the large man who lay next to him, his mountain of a little brother.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Hoss, go back to sleep.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, his brother rose to a sitting position.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are ya awake then?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, particular reason, just restless.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd worried?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe boss is always worried about something.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d\u00a0 It was Hoss\u2019s demanding tone, the one that demanded a brother\u2019s truthfulness and trust.\u00a0 \u201cDo you got a feeling?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the one who gets feelings, little brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s <\/span>little brother<\/span><\/i> was the only answer Hoss needed.\u00a0 \u201cSomething inside is warning ya?\u201d It was as much a statement as a question.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot with any solid reason.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe feeling\u2019s reason enough.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss stood.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll rouse the men.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was telling, not asking.\u00a0 If it turns out to be silliness, well, I\u2019ve been called silly before, and it won\u2019t matter.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t the boss.\u201d Hoss called out to the men.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam stood. \u201cMissouri mule!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their foe watched as the men rose reaching for guns.\u00a0 Surprise had been their advantage; that advantage was lost.\u00a0 They chose to retreat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Daybreak came; death departed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Little Joe~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA man does what he feels is right, no matter what it costs him.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Elmer Kelton, The Time It Never Rained<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam looked at his baby brother and squared his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cA man does what he feels is right, or I should say what he knows is right, no matter what it costs him.\u00a0 How many times have you said you\u2019re not a boy but a man?\u00a0 Now is the time to show me.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stared at the top of Little Joe\u2019s head since his brother refused to raise it and see the judgement in Adam\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 As the silence grew heavier, Adam spoke.\u00a0 \u201cYou do know what the right thing to do is, don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 It was as much a nudging admonishment as a question.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa taught me right and wrong same as he taught you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, umm, what if it ain\u2019t a matter of what it\u2019s gonna cost you?\u00a0 What if somebody else is gonna pay the greater price?\u201d Little Joe heard Adam sigh and looked up into his brother\u2019s face. \u201cThey\u2019ll go to jail if I tell it all.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d\u00a0 Adam swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cBut if you don\u2019t, if they get away with it, then they might just end up going to perdition.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span>Lord, he\u2019s only sixteen. Can I expect …\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>\u201cJoe, I could…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no…\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI tell you; you tell the sheriff; I\u2019m still the one that named them.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can come with you to the sheriff.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How many times have ya held my hand when it was something hard, elder brother?\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)(L)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright studied the bowed head of his adopted brother, as Jamie fiddled with his hat.\u00a0 \u201cYou can tell me; I\u2019m your brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGrown brother.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut not Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d still make me do what ya think is right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 No, I\u2019d tell you to do what you think, what you know, is right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wouldn\u2019t be just me that was in trouble.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid ya drag any others into that trouble, or did they choose for themselves?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody forced nobody.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Jamie raised his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know more about how it is than you might think.\u201d\u00a0 Joe reached out and took Jamie\u2019s chin in his hand, so that the boy could not avoid looking at him.\u00a0 \u201cI had to tell on two friends when I knew the telling would put them in jail.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh! Then…\u00a0 How you\u2019d make yourself do it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cActually, I had a little help from an elder brother of mine.\u00a0 He went with me to the sheriff.\u00a0 Held my hand, so to speak.\u00a0 Made it easier to make him and Pa proud that I knew right and did it.\u00a0 After a bit, I knew I didn\u2019t want to be just a man; I want to be a good man and was glad I\u2019d done it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPa would want me to; Hoss and you too.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill ya go with me to Pa.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa don\u2019t have to hold my hand though.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019ll just hold on to your arm, so you know you can\u2019t run.\u201d\u00a0 Joe giggled and mentally thanked Adam.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Jamie~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“He felt an uncertainty in the air, a feeling of change and loss and of the gain of new and unfamiliar things.”\u00a0<\/strong>
\n John Steinbeck, The Red Pony<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>“Whatcha doing up?”\u00a0 Jamie turned.\u00a0 Hoss was easy to recognize even in the darkness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Just thinking.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“About tomorrow?”\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Yea.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss came further into the room and lit the lamp.\u00a0 He sat on the bed and motioned Jamie to join him.\u00a0 “Ya know, well, if ya ain’t ready, it don’t have to be tomorrow.\u00a0 Judge comes around regular as clockwork.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“But I …\u00a0 I want to be a Cartwright!”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“And we want ya to be but wanting something don’t always mean you’re ready for it to happen.\u00a0 This is something ya need to be ready for.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I just…\u00a0 well, I just…”\u00a0 Jamie sighed.\u00a0 “I want to be a Cartwright.\u00a0 I said I was certain, and I am.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“That’s good ’cause the judge is gonna ask if ya are.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hoss, um, do you know if the judge is gonna ask, well, at a wedding they ask if anyone knows any reason; they ask for objections.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Ain’t nobody there gonna be making any objection.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Would somebody not there make one?\u00a0 Would Adam?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No.”\u00a0 The answer was quick and certain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“You can’t…”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Oh, yes, I can.\u00a0 I know elder brother better than most anyone, and I can.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Well, okay, but…”\u00a0 Jamie’s voice faded.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“But what?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Sometimes, sometimes it’s like I hear my father saying, ‘Jamie you’re a Hunter’.\u00a0 Maybe he’d object.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I didn’t know your father, but, well, a loving father wants what’s best for his child.\u00a0 The adoption, well, it’s for being legal.\u00a0 It ain’t gonna make no one feel no more love than they do now or change much how we act.\u00a0 It don’t need to do that.\u00a0 But, well, the law is there mainly to protect folks.\u00a0 Being legal will be a protection especially for you.\u00a0 We’ll all know that there ain’t nothing in the shadows that can come out and spoil what we got. That’s why I don’t think your father would object.\u00a0 Truly, I don’t.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I won’t be Jamie Hunter no more.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“No, ya won’t.\u00a0 You’ll be Jamie Hunter Carwright.\u00a0 I think on it like we all keep growing and changing.\u00a0 One day ya won’t be a boy no more, but you’ll have gained being a man.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“You said how we act won’t change much. How do you think it will?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hoss grinned.\u00a0 “If ya ever take the notion to run off again, well, we’ll come drag your sorry butt home, and if Pa don’t blister ya britches, I will.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Ya wouldn’t!” Jamie’s tone was indignant.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Don’t try me, brother!”\u00a0 Hoss pull the boy to him and said soft but clear.\u00a0 “Legal tomorrow or legal later don’t matter.\u00a0 Follow your heart.”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

*****<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie stood in the courtroom and felt an uncertainty in the air but not in himself. He had a feeling of change, both loss and gain. He heard the judge proclaim him forever a Carwright and standing beside Ben Cartwright, beside his pa, was both familiar and new. Then, surrounded by family, Jamie Hunter Carwright walked into his future.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~<\/span>Hop Sing~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Hardly anybody recognizes the most significant moments of their life\u00a0at the time they happen.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

— W. P. Kinsella, Shoeless Joe<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are times in all men\u2019s lives when they know the significance of what they do, when they know something has changed life forever or that one act will change the future.\u00a0 I knew fully that walking onto the boat that carried me from my home in China to a strange land would make everything from that time on different than what had gone before or that I had expected as I grew.\u00a0 But there are other times when hardly any man recognizes the significance of his actions to his future.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I did not take care with that dinner because I thought it of importance.\u00a0 Mister Sheldrake was not a man of appreciation.\u00a0 The food I prepared need be only edible even if a guest was expected.\u00a0 He ate as a horse munches hay to satisfy hunger.\u00a0 No, I used my skill because I had been taught by honorable father and elders of family that one did always the best at any job.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the lone guest at the table took time to praise and thank me for my efforts, it pleased me greatly, and I allowed a small smile to appear on my face.\u00a0 The smile was fleeting.\u00a0 Mister Sheldrake\u2019s comments dismissed my efforts crudely as they often did.\u00a0 He was a man of little respect for others and a man of bigotry who felt my people lesser than his and let it be known, but still he paid me as he would one of his race not less as was often the case, so I made my ears deaf to his insults and counted my savings to quell my anger.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This time, though, I think his words were turned to my benefit.\u00a0 Unexpectedly, I heard a knock at the kitchen door.\u00a0 When I opened it, I again looked upon the face of the guest who had complimented me.\u00a0 I think had not Mister Sheldrake made his comments, Mister Ben would have thought it wrong to come with his offer. Still, he came into the kitchen and told me his wife was with child and with his family growing as well as his ranch that he had thought to hire a servant for his house.\u00a0 His wife he said could cook but did not care for the chore so the servant would be first and foremost a cook giving her more time for the children.\u00a0 Still, other tasks would be expected.\u00a0 He spoke of his sons and of his ranch far from the city and the ocean but near a beautiful lake.\u00a0 I had grown up in a village beside a beautiful lake.\u00a0 I felt this was a sign.\u00a0 Mister Ben Cartwright asked me to consider a position in his home.\u00a0\u00a0 I could see he was a man of respect and appreciation. I agreed telling myself this was a decision that could be changed.\u00a0 I did not know, did not expect, that I would find on that ranch a place, a life, and a family to care for.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Candy~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“It was as if his whole life had suddenly lodged in his throat, a raw bite he could neither spit out nor swallow.”\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Larry McMurtry, Lonesome Dove<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy walked into the saloon, ordered two beers, and headed toward a table.\u00a0 He had downed half of his mug before he saw two people approaching from different directions.\u00a0 He caught Joe Carwright\u2019s attention and pointed toward the second beer on the table then turned his attention to the woman who now stood before him.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It was as if his whole life had suddenly lodged in his throat, a raw bite he could neither spit out nor swallow.\u00a0 She recognized him; he saw it in her eyes, but she stepped closer to Joe, placing her hand on his shoulder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBuy a lady a drink, handsome,\u201d she cooed and made sure Joe had a closer look at her decolletage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon she was seated on Joe\u2019s lap.\u00a0 As Joe indulged in drink after drink, her attentions kept him from noticing that Candy nursed one beer and mostly observed his table companions silently. Later, Candy guided Joe across the street and up the stairs laying him on the bed, divesting him of gun and boots, and then throwing a blanket over the already snoring Cartwright.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy felt a hand run up his back and over his shoulder to caress his ear. She had followed them.\u00a0 He jerked away and turned to face her.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLong time no see, Candy.\u201d\u00a0 Her voice played with his name.\u00a0 Candy\u2019s eyes flicked toward Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAnything he might hear, he won\u2019t be remembering, Sugar.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She was right, still he maneuvered them further from the bed. \u201cI didn\u2019t hear you give Joe a name. Are you using any one in particular?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever comes to mind if one of them asks.\u201d\u00a0 She laughed softly.\u00a0 \u201cWould you believe the bartender and the piano player call me Candy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes the bartender just water your drinks or does he add a little something to the mark\u2019s.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly if absolutely necessary.\u201d\u00a0 Candy looked toward Joe.\u00a0 She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cHe ceased being a mark when he called you friend.\u00a0 I\u2019m not a fool.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No, fool had never been an apt description when it came to her, girl or woman.\u00a0 \u201cGlad to hear it.\u201d\u00a0 He looked down at her, his face like granite. \u201cSo, you\u2019ll be leaving empty-handed.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat depends on you.\u201d\u00a0 She tapped her chin with her forefinger.\u00a0 \u201cA girl\u2019s got to earn a living. Would he think of you as a friend if he knew all I know about you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome people don\u2019t hold the sins of the past against you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou hold mine against me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I hold what you are, not what you\u2019ve done, against you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it you think I am?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoison. You were born full of venom like a baby snake.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd surviving my bites as given you immunity?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She shrugged and raised her eyebrow suggestively.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He took out his wallet, extracted the bills, and stuffed them into her decolletage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you…\u201d She stood on her tiptoes whispering his baptismal name into his ear and then left. Candy finally swallowed down the lump that was his past.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Her name was Maude, and she drank whiskey all day from a fruit jar under the counter.”\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flannery O’Connor, Wise Blood: A Novel<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her name was Maude, and she drank whiskey all day from a fruit jar under the counter but seldom appeared inebriated to the causal eye.\u00a0 She knew everyone in the admittedly small town and its environs.\u00a0 More importantly she knew their secrets, but she was discreet and used the knowledge discerningly.\u00a0 She had countless acquaintances, few enemies, and only one actual friend.\u00a0 She smiled as she watched that friend ride up, dismount, and walk into her domain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey there, Sweet Man, get over here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy Canaday strode across the room and leaned over the counter to plant a kiss on Maude\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cBeautiful as ever.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maude snorted disagreement, but her eyes sparkled.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou can leave off trying to shine me on.\u00a0 What are ya doing here?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVisiting my favorite lady.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maude slapped his arm.\u00a0 \u201cAwful long ride for a howdy.\u201d\u00a0 Her face grew serious.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you need?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInformation.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you think I have what you need?\u00a0 I ain\u2019t been out of this backwater town in ten years.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you know a man named Alistair Markham?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He saw the <\/span>yes <\/span><\/i>in her eyes even though she did not answer immediately but took a sip from her fruit jar.\u00a0 Maude extended the jar in Candy\u2019s direction.\u00a0 He took it and drank while he waited for her answer.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if I do?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to know what you know about him.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo what end?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTo help a friend.\u00a0 Friends, actually, my boss and his sons.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese folks important to ya, are they?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike family, Maudie.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She sighed.\u00a0 \u201cFamily of family is an obligation.\u201d\u00a0 She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cThey picked a bad one to fight against.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe did the picking.\u00a0 The Cartwrights have no choice but to fight.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see. So, ya need to know your enemy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou always do if you\u2019re going to win.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suspect you already know he\u2019s lower than a snake\u2019s belly and willing to do most anything to get what he wants.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep.\u00a0 Now I need to know if he has an Achilles heel, and if so, what it is.\u201d\u00a0 Few people would have expected Maude to understand the classical reference, but Candy knew she was more educated and well-read than half the folks on Knob Hill.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know he spent some time around here about nine years ago, or you wouldn\u2019t have come to me.\u201d\u00a0 She took another sip from her jar and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHe has one.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot what but who?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, <\/span>who, <\/span><\/i>and there\u2019s the rub, Sweet Man, the <\/span>who <\/span><\/i>is an innocent.\u00a0 Are you ready to use an innocent?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I wouldn\u2019t hurt…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes in a battle there\u2019s collateral damage.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs to be stopped, Maudie.\u00a0 For everyone\u2019s good.\u00a0 He hurts people.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you and these Cartwright’s put an end to him for good?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can make a better try than most.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She slapped the counter. \u201cAll right then.\u00a0 The name\u2019s Angelina Cary.\u00a0 She\u2019s his daughter.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~~Griff~~<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe lay back, put his arm over his eyes and tried to hold onto the anger, because the anger made him feel brave.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0–Stephen King, Misery<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He lay back, put his arm over his eyes and tried to hold onto the anger, because the anger made him feel brave.\u00a0 He\u2019d used anger before to make himself brave. In the end, though, his anger had made him not only brave but stupid.\u00a0 It had been stupid to do it when he did, stupid to do it where there were folks close enough to stop him, folks there to drag him away to the jail.\u00a0 Guess some would say it was better they had.\u00a0 Two to five was better than hanging for murder, and it would have been murder.\u00a0 He heard someone stir, another person cough, and even the anger could not stop the cold chill in his stomach.\u00a0 He brought his stepdad\u2019s face into his mind.\u00a0 Maybe hate could burn off the fear.\u00a0 It did when he was standing before the judge.\u00a0 It did when they put on the chains.\u00a0 Anger and hate had made him able to walk toward the prisoners who greeted him with jeers and leers, to stare them down for one night at least.\u00a0 Now he lay in the dark with only that anger and hate to wrap around him.\u00a0 He wanted to sleep.\u00a0 He had managed to sleep in conditions just as physically uncomfortable, had found sleep in far more pain after a beating at the hands of his stepdad.\u00a0 Come to think of it, his stepfather was the only man who had ever beaten him.\u00a0 Of course, he had the law on his side, had the right to do it, to hear the man tell it he had a duty to do it.\u00a0\u00a0 Evidently, the judge had agreed. The judge had been able to see the bruises from more than the last beating when sentence was pronounced and had still said it. \u201cGriff King you are hereby sentenced to no less than two years and no more than five in the territorial prison.\u201d\u00a0 When he had turned to be led away, he had seen the smile on his stepdad\u2019s face, his one comfort was that he had also seen the damage the pick handle had done, some of the marks would be there for life.\u00a0 He shifted and then stilled listening to the men around him.\u00a0 He knew he would have to prove himself but exactly how was still to be discovered.\u00a0 It was the unknown that froze his blood.\u00a0 Thank God he was tall, his body if not his face belying his lack of age, and hard work had made him strong.\u00a0 More importantly, he knew how to fight.\u00a0 He almost smiled at the thought of Candy.\u00a0 Candy had taught him to fight.\u00a0 Another cough in the night and another tendril of fear in his chest. Lord knew he could take a punch, he\u2019d taken hundreds, but there were things worse than punches.\u00a0 He told himself it would be easier to sleep tomorrow.\u00a0 The warden had said hard labor.\u00a0 This first night would be the worst night for sleep.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“God knows I had not wanted to fall in love with her.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

–Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms<\/i>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGriff…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLeave it alone Candy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI just…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just trying to be a durn big brother.\u201d\u00a0 Griff shook his head angrily.\u00a0 I don\u2019t need nobody telling me it wouldn\u2019t have worked.\u201d\u00a0 Griff sent his friend a glare he had honed in territorial prison.\u00a0 \u201cIf ya can\u2019t keep from giving me the benefit of your vast experience, write out your reasons.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll read \u2018em and see if there\u2019s any that ain\u2019t on my list already.\u201d\u00a0 Griff stomped about a hundred yards further from Candy before stopping and punching a tree.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGriff…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy can\u2019t ya leave it alone?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy shrugged. \u201cI never leave my friends to stew alone in their misery.\u201d\u00a0 Candy took a few steps toward his friend but then stopped.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI never said I thought it couldn\u2019t have worked.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you think someone like Duffy could have been happy with an ex-con?\u201d\u00a0 Griff\u2019s voice dripped sarcasm.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know the lady well enough to say what would make her happy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Griff turned, placed his back against the tree he punched, and slid down to sit against it, drawing his knees up and dropping his chin to his chest.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t even off probation yet.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat wouldn\u2019t have kept Ben from letting ya have the cabin and paying installments on the land.\u00a0 You know that.\u201d\u00a0 Candy walked closer and sat down facing his friend.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Griff did not raise his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not like I wanted to fall in love with her.\u00a0 God knows I didn\u2019t.\u00a0 I just did.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you did?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Griff\u2019s head came up with a snap.\u00a0 \u201cWhat!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait, I\u2019m not saying… I know… I know you feel…that you\u2019re hurting.\u00a0 It\u2019s just, well, did you fall in love with her, with Duffy, or with, well, you never had…\u00a0 Griff, are you sure you fell in love with her not with the idea, the dream.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Griff closed his eyes and banged his head back against the tree.\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 After a few minutes of silence, he spoke.\u00a0 \u201cIt was nice, well, lots of it was nice, real nice.\u00a0 I shoulda kept telling myself we was just playing house.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think… well, it would be hard not to enjoy a good woman\u2019s company; having a woman like Duffy do for ya would be something fine.\u00a0\u00a0 It was like ya swiped a lick of icing; it would be hard not to crave at least a slice of cake.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYa think, well, do you think she mighta been thinking something like that, that I was wanting the dream not her, when she said good-bye so easy.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre ya sure it was easy for her?\u00a0 She might have wanted a little slice of that cake herself, but, well, it wasn\u2019t her first time playing at a different life.\u201d\u00a0 Candy sat quietly and gave Griff time to ponder.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGod knows I had not wanted to fall in love with her.\u201d\u00a0 Griff gave Candy a self-deprecating grin.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think He knows I do want that sometime with somebody?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Candy smiled.\u00a0 \u201cHe knows.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

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

This is a collection of short vignettes meant to be enjoyed like chocolates from a box.\u00a0 Each vignette was inspired by a prompt in the form of a quote from literature. The quote and its source are used to title each vignette.\u00a0 Acknowledgement is given to the authors that provided inspiration and to JC for choosing the quotes for the 2024 Pinecone Challenges.\u00a0 Characters, topics, and genres are varied, and all questions are not answered.\u00a0
\nRating: T warnings: mentions of corporal punishment, adult topics word count: 11,416<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":37268,"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":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-challenges","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":669,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Ponderosa-ranch-house.jpg?fit=480%2C251&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7367,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7367","url_meta":{"origin":50194,"position":0},"title":"Monday Morning (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"May 8, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A short vignette about a morning on the ranch Rated:\u00a0K+ WC: 570 Adam Vignette Series, links to all the stories within the series included.","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Hoss"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Hoss","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1090"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Showdown3.jpg?fit=761%2C669&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12688,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12688","url_meta":{"origin":50194,"position":1},"title":"Spirit Thief #3 – The Marriage Bed (by Nanuk)","author":"Nanuk","date":"January 17, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A vignette companion to Spirit Thief.\u00a0 A new bit featuring Adam and Becky. 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Written for the Sept 1 Pinecone challenge and expanded for inclusion here. Prompt: Whisky for my men, beer for my horses (by Scott Emerich\/Toby Keith).\u00a0 Contains phrases from both the song and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"newspaper","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/A8B95BC9-E53D-40E8-BD21-6DC03B08C9BF.jpeg?fit=1178%2C1034&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5201,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5201","url_meta":{"origin":50194,"position":3},"title":"The Language That Stuck (by idmarryhoss)","author":"idmarryhoss","date":"May 15, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0A vignette on a married Hoss, a linguist Hoss, a philosopher Hoss who is contemplating the universe - or tidbits of it, the least. A different view, a key to interpret my longer stories. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ (1,180 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":49924,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49924","url_meta":{"origin":50194,"position":4},"title":"The Ugliest Christmas Ornament (by DJK)","author":"DJK","date":"December 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Little Joe thinks an ornament is too ugly for the Cartwright tree. Adam has the opposite opinion in this slice-of-life vignette. 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Rating:\u00a0 K+ (900 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Chaps and Spurs"","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/TO-129.jpg?fit=750%2C578&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50194","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\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=50194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}