{"id":5452,"date":"2010-05-01T16:01:01","date_gmt":"2010-05-01T20:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5452"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:23:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:23:52","slug":"darkness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5452","title":{"rendered":"Darkness (by deansgirl)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>The darkness can be either a friend or an enemy.\u00a0 But when a man loses something very dear to him he discovers how deadly the darkness can become<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+ (10,975 words)
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Dedication:\u00a0 I wanted to dedicate this story to the anatomy teacher at my college of nursing.\u00a0 He taught me so much about the way the human body works and I had fun in his class, too.\u00a0 Thank you for making my experience an enjoyable one, Professor.<\/em><\/div>\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

Darkness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you know what it is like to be blind?\u00a0<\/strong> Your whole world is surrounded in a dark vat of nothingness.\u00a0 Close your eyes right now and keep them closed for several moments.\u00a0 What do you see?\u00a0 Well depending on the lighting you may see a little bit of light.\u00a0 Now close all the shades and turn off all the lights.\u00a0 Now what do you see?\u00a0 Nothing, blackness, emptiness, nothingness.<\/p>\n

When a person is blind he is lost in a vast emptiness of deep, dark space.\u00a0 If he once had his sight he will find himself dreaming of the things he used to see.\u00a0 He will see the sunset and the sunrise, the birds, the flowers, the sky, the mountains, the trees, and so much more.\u00a0 He dreams of these things that he will never see again.\u00a0 He lies alone in the dark watching dreams, plans, and hopes collapse around him.\u00a0 His loving family might be around him but they do not understand the horror of being blind.\u00a0 They will never understand it.<\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright was such a man.\u00a0 It was not totally clear to him how this happened.\u00a0 All that he knew was that he was lying alone in a dark room.\u00a0 Outside the window he could hear the coyotes howling and he knew that it was night.\u00a0 But for him it would always be night.<\/p>\n

And outside his bedroom out of Adam\u2019s earshot Dr. Paul Martin was attempting to comfort the rest of the Cartwright\u2019s.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face was pale and his hands shook.\u00a0 \u201cIt was an accident.\u201d He kept repeating.\u00a0 \u201cIt was an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t blame yourself, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin tried to reassure him.\u00a0 \u201cIt could have happened to anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it happened to me!\u201d\u00a0 Joe exclaimed clutching his hands tightly together.\u00a0 \u201cTo me!\u00a0 And to Adam!\u201d\u00a0 And then he turned his back to the doctor and leant against the wall.<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin looked after him with a frown.\u00a0 Then he turned back to Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAdam must be kept perfectly still.\u201d\u00a0 He instructed.\u00a0 \u201cBut don\u2019t leave him alone.\u00a0 That is the worst thing you can do.\u00a0 He must have company.\u00a0 He must know that he will be all right.\u00a0 Don\u2019t mention the words blind or see.\u00a0 And for heaven\u2019s sake don\u2019t talk about things that Adam can no longer do!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTry to help him understand that he is still a man and that his blindness will not ruin him for life.\u00a0 And that bump on his head must be kept clean.\u00a0 Bathe it with cold water to try to bring the swelling down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if he can\u2019t remember what happened don\u2019t remind him.\u201d Dr. Martin finished.\u00a0 \u201cThe last thing I want is for him to get angry at Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned.\u00a0 \u201cWhy shouldn\u2019t he?\u00a0 It was my fault!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was no one\u2019s fault.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin attempted to comfort him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never be able to make up to him for it.\u201d\u00a0 Joe groaned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you can.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin saw an opportunity to light a ray of hope in Joe\u2019s heart.\u00a0 \u201cYou can be your brother\u2019s nurse.\u00a0 Read to him, help him, and show him that he still can live.\u00a0 And, Joe, please don\u2019t let Adam fall into despair that is the worse thing that could happen.\u00a0 Well, I have to go now.\u201d He slowly walked toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be back tomorrow to check on your patient.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and entered his brother\u2019s room.\u00a0 Ben watched his son, then he followed Paul Martin downstairs.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s room was usually a bright and cheerful place.\u00a0 The eldest Cartwright son liked the fresh air and kept his windows and shades open day and night.\u00a0 But now the shades were drawn and the windows closed.\u00a0 Adam lay still not moving, staring one might say, but at what?\u00a0 At those dreams that he had lost with his sight or perhaps he was struggling to remember what happened earlier that day.<\/p>\n

The latter seemed to be the case because as Joe pulled a chair over Adam turned his head toward the sound.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d he asked, unsteadily.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust me, Adam.\u201d Joe replied straddling the chair.\u00a0 His heart came close to breaking as he watched his once strong brother now jumping at the slightest sounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed and fell back on the pillow.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at his hands.\u00a0 \u201cDoc said you should rest, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will.\u201d He replied.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s shoulder\u2019s shook.\u00a0 \u201cYou heard what Doc Martin said.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m blind!\u201d\u00a0 Adam repeated.\u00a0 \u201cTotally blind!\u201d\u00a0 he choked back a sob.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam…\u201d Joe attempted to comfort his brother, but his voice broke and his head went between his hands.<\/p>\n

Adam reached out his hand gently, searching for his brother.\u00a0 His hand finally came to rest on Joe\u2019s arm.\u00a0 He sat quietly waiting for his brother to finish his own heart bleeding.\u00a0 Finally he whispered to Joe, \u201cIt\u2019s night isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded, then he swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d He replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight.\u201d\u00a0 Adam murmured.\u00a0 \u201cIt will always be night for me.\u201d\u00a0 His sightless eyes traveled over the room.\u00a0 He knew the room by heart but still he felt lost in the world of night that he was now experiencing.\u00a0 He was about to press his brother for more information about the accident but then he heard the door open again and Ben Cartwright entered the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon?\u201d\u00a0 Ben whispered.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 And Joe moved to allow his father room to come near his older brother\u2019s bed.\u00a0 Adam could feel the edge of the bed dipping slightly as his father sat beside him.<\/p>\n

Adam turned towards his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I…\u201d he broke down, then, Ben bent down and grasped his son in his arms and for a long time just held him closely.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright\u2019s eyes filled with silent tears.\u00a0 Earlier that day Adam, Hoss, and Joe had gone into the forest to cut some trees for firewood.\u00a0 Winter was coming and Ben wanted the Ponderosa well stocked with wood.\u00a0 They left early that morning laughing and smiling together Adam on Sport, Hoss on Chubb, and Joe on Cochise.\u00a0 They took a wagon with them to cart back the cut wood.\u00a0 They returned that evening.\u00a0 Hoss was still riding Chubb and Joe Cochise, but Sport was tied to the back of the wagon and instead of cut wood a body lay inside covered with Hoss and Joe\u2019s coats.<\/p>\n

Ben rushed outside.\u00a0 His two younger sons pulled back their coats to reveal the bruised and battered body of Adam Cartwright.\u00a0 \u201cA tree fell on him, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe explained.\u00a0 \u201cA tree I was cutting.\u201d\u00a0 And the youngest Cartwright\u2019s eyes filled with tears.<\/p>\n

Ben, Hoss and Joe carefully carried Adam into the house and laid him gently on the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing!\u201d\u00a0 Ben called.\u00a0 \u201cWater, bring water quickly!\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a bump on the back of Adam\u2019s head that worried Ben.\u00a0 He wet a rag in the cold water that a worried Hop Sing brought him and wiped it gently across Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go for the doc, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss quickly assured his father and Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

Joe stood anxiously by his father and older brother.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes were closed and he moaned softly as the cold rag passed over the back of his head.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s face paled as he watched his brother.\u00a0 Adam, usually so strong and confident, lay still and quiet, moaning softly as the cloth now was gently passed over his cut, bruised, and scratched face.<\/p>\n

When Doctor Martin arrived Ben carried the young man up to his room.\u00a0 Adam was drifting in and out of a restless stupor but alert enough for the doctor to make an initial diagnosis.\u00a0 The diagnosis struck fear in the hearts of all present.\u00a0 Adam Cartwright was blind!<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Ben.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin washed his hands at the basin beside Adam\u2019s bed. \u201cIt might not be a permanent thing.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin weakly tried to assure Ben, Hoss, and Joe.\u00a0 \u201cBut, unfortunately, I can\u2019t see inside his head to be sure.\u201d He picked up his bag and walked toward the door.\u00a0 The three Cartwright\u2019s walked carefully and silently out of Adam\u2019s room, quietly closing the door behind them, so that Adam could hear no more of the conversation.
\nWhat had Adam thought then, Ben wondered, as he held his son close.\u00a0 Adam had heard what the doctor had said because Ben had heard a stifled sob as he left the room.\u00a0 Yes, his son had heard the doctor\u2019s diagnosis.\u00a0 And for an active man like Adam it was a sentence of death.\u00a0 Night was closing in on the Ponderosa but it would always be night for Adam.<\/p>\n

Ben held his son still for several minutes longer.\u00a0 The remembering what the doctor had ordered he released Adam.\u00a0 The young man, ashamed of letting his father and brother see his emotions, turned his face away from them and buried his face in his pillow.\u00a0 Ben looked over at Joe and quietly ordered \u201cStay with him.\u201d\u00a0 Then he left the room and went down the stairs towards the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Adam lay still after his father left.\u00a0 Several thoughts were running through his mind.\u00a0 The first was his disbelief that this had happened to him.\u00a0 Just the other day he was happy and carefree.\u00a0 Now he was bl…but no, Adam did not want to use that word.\u00a0 It hurt him to even think about it.\u00a0 He could see the things he had always seen in his mind.\u00a0 But now they were dreams, dreams of the past.\u00a0 Adam saw his future crashing around him, falling, falling into a vat of darkness such as he was now experiencing.<\/p>\n

He sighed unhappily.\u00a0 He felt so alone, so useless.\u00a0 His family was trying to support him, but they did not understand.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s natural state of being revolted against having to lie here in the darkness of blindness.\u00a0 He wanted to do the things he was raised to do.\u00a0 he wanted to ride Sport, wanted to break that new herd of wild horses, wanted to cut wood, wanted to play his guitar, wanted to read again.\u00a0 Read!\u00a0 The word was like a forbidden gem to Adam.\u00a0 Reading had been his pastime, the way he spent his leisure hours.\u00a0 Were Shakespeare, Thoreau, Poe, and Tennyson no longer to be a part of his life?\u00a0 Then he heard Joe\u2019s voice beside him and he turned.<\/p>\n

Joe had sensed what his brother was thinking and his heart went out to the brother that he had injured through what he called \u2018my carelessness.\u2019\u00a0 He wanted to help his brother, wanted to let Adam know that he was not alone.\u00a0 He knew what he had caused Adam to lose so he gently asked, \u201cAdam, can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam hated anyone asking him that question even when he was well.\u00a0 But now that he was sick and an invalid he liked it even less.\u00a0 It sounded condescending to him.\u00a0 As though, he could not do anything for himself.\u00a0 In fact he felt unable to help himself and that made him even angrier at his brother who had his sight and could see.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 He snapped at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0 I don\u2019t need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe dropped his head between his hands.\u00a0 His brother was suffering a torture that Joe would have wished on no one.\u00a0 And yet his dearly beloved brother was going through this darkness alone.\u00a0 Joe wanted to help him but Adam would not let him in.\u00a0 So he sat silently, hoping and praying that Adam would let him do something, anything to relive some of the hurt that he had caused.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s mind was spinning.\u00a0 He still could not believe that this had happened to him.\u00a0 He wanted to be left alone, just left alone and he told Joe so.\u00a0 His voice was slightly sharper than usual as he ordered his brother out of his room.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, will you please get out of here?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI can get along very well without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Pa told me to stay with you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care.\u201d\u00a0 Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cI want to be alone.\u00a0 Just left alone.\u00a0 Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not good for you, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered faintly.\u00a0 \u201cPlease let me stay.\u00a0 I\u2019ll read to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRead to me!\u201d\u00a0 Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYou!\u00a0 You hate reading anything except those dime novels.\u00a0 You don\u2019t know Shakespeare!\u00a0 You could never give it the proper tone.\u00a0 No!\u00a0 Forget it, Joe.\u00a0 Get out of here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, it\u2019s not right for you to be alone.\u201d\u00a0 Joe never raised his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not right for me to be blind, either.\u201d\u00a0 Adam shouted back and Joe\u2019s heart broke a little more.\u00a0 \u201cBut I am and there is nothing you can do about it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can help you!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me!\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhy waste your time?\u00a0 I\u2019m only half a man anyway.\u00a0 Without sight I\u2019m useless, no good.\u00a0 I might as well just die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, No!\u201d\u00a0 Joe pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you afraid of death, little brother?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked harshly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not.\u00a0 It\u2019s become a part of life out here.\u00a0 Death has always been a part of my life.\u00a0 You, Hoss, and Pa will get along very well without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, we won\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Ben Cartwright\u2019s voice cut into the conversation and he walked into the room.\u00a0 Joe moved aside as his father set a basin of water on the dresser next to Adam\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cEvery one of you, my sons are an important part of this ranch and I could not get along without any of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to learn to get along without me.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was slightly defiant.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m no good anymore.\u201d\u00a0 He finished sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, that\u2019s not true and you know it.\u201d\u00a0 His father replied, slipping an arm around Adam\u2019s neck and raising him into a sitting position.<\/p>\n

Adam felt a cold rag on the back of his head and he cringed.\u00a0 He had a very tender, painful bump back there.\u00a0 Joe, unable to stand his brother feeling even the slightest pain, walked quickly from the room.\u00a0 Ben gently bathed the back of his sons head, then he laid him back on the pillow and pulled the blankets tenderly up around Adam as he had done when the man was just a boy.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo to sleep, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben picked up the water and headed towards the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n

Ben turned.\u00a0 \u201cYes, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, what happened?\u201d\u00a0 he had to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was an accident, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt was just an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Pa, I\u2019m blind now!\u201d\u00a0 Adam protested.\u00a0 \u201cI have a right to know what happened!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 Ben put the water back on the dresser and sat on the bed next to his suffering son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, please just trust my judgement.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa…\u201d\u00a0 Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cA tree fell, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said simply.<\/p>\n

\u201cA tree fell.\u201d\u00a0 Adam repeated.\u00a0 Then he started to laugh.\u00a0 It was a strange laugh, a laugh with no humor, a laugh that made Ben\u2019s brow furrow with worry and grip the sides of his son\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cA tree fell!\u00a0 I\u2019ve been through gunfights, fistfights, duels, and even sword fights.\u00a0 But its a falling tree that does it to me!\u00a0 A tree causes me to go blind!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam…\u201d Ben reached out his hand toward his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s groping hand found his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m all right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood-night, then, son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood-night, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s sightless eyes closed.<\/p>\n

Ben watched him for a moment then he picked up the water basin and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Adam was lonely.\u00a0 He tossed uncomfortably in his bed, not sleeping.\u00a0 Sleep refused to come to him tonight.\u00a0 His mind was jumbled with a situation that he could not remember.\u00a0 He kept hearing his brother\u2019s Joe\u2019s voice shouting out \u201cAdam, look out!\u201d\u00a0 He kept seeing a tree falling towards him and his mind telling him to move to get out of the way, but he could not move.\u00a0 Then a crash and blackness.\u00a0 A blackness that was now permanent.\u00a0 What were these strange memories?\u00a0 Memories perhaps of the accident that had caused him to go blind.<\/p>\n

His face was hot and flushed and he longed for a glass of water.\u00a0 Even Little
\nJoe would be a welcome sight to the tired, suffering Adam.\u00a0 He wanted to stand up and walk toward the water pitcher that was always on the dresser across from is bed.\u00a0 Of course, it had to be over there when he needed it most.\u00a0 But he could not even see his hands in front of his face how would he be able to see a piece of furniture across the room.<\/p>\n

Joe, unable to sleep, stood up from his bed and walked toward his brother\u2019s room.\u00a0 Adam tossed uneasily between the sheets.\u00a0 His face burned and he longed for a glass of cold water.\u00a0 Joe sensed his brother\u2019s need as soon as he entered the room.\u00a0 He poured a glass of water from the pitcher that Adam had been dreaming of and walked over to Adam\u2019s bed.\u00a0 He never said a word but raisin Adam\u2019s head he helped him to drink the cool refreshing water that soothed Adam\u2019s burning throat and parched lips.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Adam whispered as Joe let his brother\u2019s head sink back down on the pillow.\u00a0 \u201cJoe?\u201d he asked unsure of his benefactor.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied softly sitting in a chair beside Adam\u2019s bed.\u00a0 \u201cYes, it\u2019s me, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow…how did you know what I needed, Joe?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked, turning toward his brother\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0 Joe answered.\u00a0 \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep and I thought that perhaps you might need something so I came in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam repeated softly.\u00a0 \u201cThank you very much.\u201d\u00a0 He was grateful that Joe was trying to help him but lurking somewhere in the back of his mind was the thought that Joe had somehow been involved in the accident.<\/p>\n

Joe stood up and walked towards the closed and shuttered windows.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I\u2019m going to open the window.\u201d He announced.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Adam pleaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe answered.\u00a0 \u201cJust let me bring in some fresh air.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said no more and Joe opened the windows wide letting in the fresh night air.\u00a0 Adam breathed deeply of the crisp, cool, autumn air.\u00a0 The coyotes were howling and the wind was whistling outside.\u00a0 \u201cThat air feels so good.\u201d\u00a0 Adam murmured sleepily.\u00a0 Joe stood next to the windows, tears in his eyes.\u00a0 The he turned and walked towards his brother\u2019s bed.\u00a0 He laid his cool hand on his brother\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cAdam?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

His brother made no reply.\u00a0 Still Joe listened for a moment.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s breath rose and fell in quiet sleep and Joe quietly left the room closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n

Ben and Joe walked into Adam\u2019s room together the next morning.\u00a0 Joe carried a breakfast tray in his hands.\u00a0 A tray that he set on the dresser next to his brother\u2019s bed.\u00a0 Adam sill slept, the window was still open, and the rising sun bathed the sleeping Cartwright in its glow.\u00a0 Ben passed his hand over his slumbering son\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 Adam stirred, then opened his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIs that you, Pa?\u201d he asked a little worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, son, yes it\u2019s me.\u201d\u00a0 Ben assured his son.<\/p>\n

Adam tried to smile but failed.\u00a0 Instead he asked his father \u201cCould I have some breakfast?\u00a0 I\u2019m very hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked over at Joe and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes, son.\u201d He replied.\u00a0 \u201cOf course you can.\u00a0 Joe brought you a tray.\u00a0 Joe…\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe obeyed his father\u2019s unspoken command.\u00a0 He took the try from the dresser and gently laid it across his brother\u2019s knees.\u00a0 Adam reached out his hand toward the breakfast on the tray.\u00a0 There was a plate of eggs and hominy grits.\u00a0 There was also a cup of coffee, warm not hot.\u00a0 Ben was afraid that Adam might burn himself.\u00a0 Adam managed to find the silverware and slip it from its ring.<\/p>\n

Ben watched his son anxiously.\u00a0 Adam had never had a meal this way before and Ben was worried what might happen when his son attempted the task of eating.\u00a0 Ben longed to help him, to feed him as he had done when Adam was a baby, to lovingly help him out, but he knew that Adam would resist that type of help.\u00a0 Adam was they type of man who needed to learn through trial and experience more than anything anyone could tell him.\u00a0 The he heard Hoss call \u201cPa, Joe, if you don\u2019t hurry, breakfast\u2019ll get cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked over at his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou go down to breakfast, Pa.\u201d He whispered to his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll stay with Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need you!\u201d\u00a0 Adam snapped at his brother.\u00a0 He was afraid that he would make a fool of himself and Joe would be there to see him do it.\u00a0 Adam was a proud man and he did not want anyone seeing him in his present state.\u00a0 If he had his way he would hide from all of them in some dark, lonely corner, away from their prying eyes and tender hands.<\/p>\n

Ben gripped Adam\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAdam…\u201d he said slowly.<\/p>\n

Adam swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled at Joe and walked out of the room.<\/p>\n

Joe sat beside the bed and watched his brother.\u00a0 Adam tried to eat the way he always had.\u00a0 But without sight he had a hard time finding his food.\u00a0 His fork failed to pick up the eggs and Adam contemplated just eating with his finger.\u00a0 Then he remembered that Joe was still in the room and he attempted to use his fork again.\u00a0 Joe watched trying to eat and finally could stand it no longer.\u00a0 \u201cHere, Adam.\u201d He reached out his hand and took the fork from his brother\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cLet me help you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need your help!\u201d\u00a0 Adam grabbed the fork back.\u00a0 \u201cI can do it myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cPlease!\u201d\u00a0 He did not want to tell Adam that he could not handle it.\u00a0 But he still wanted to help.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d Adam answered.\u00a0 He knew that he could not eat properly but it irked him that this young kid would have to help him eat.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you just leave me alone?\u201d\u00a0 His voice was sharp and angry and it caused Joe\u2019s heart to break.<\/p>\n

But this time Joe was willing to accept that Adam did not want him to be near him.\u00a0 He saw the horror that Adam was experiencing just trying to eat breakfast.\u00a0 Usually such a normal and easy thing for anyone to do, Adam was suffering just trying to get food on his fork.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s groping hand reached for his coffee cup.\u00a0 He was unaware that Joe pushed it within the grasp of his outstretched hand.\u00a0 Adam heard his brother stand up.\u00a0 Then he raised the cup to his lips, drank some of the liquid, sputtered and shouted \u201cJoe!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe turned back.\u00a0 \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis coffee is COLD!\u201d\u00a0 Adam shouted angrily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t want you to burn yourself.\u201d\u00a0 Joe patiently explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you expect me to drink it?\u201d\u00a0 Adam demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe begged.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet me a new cup…hot!\u201d\u00a0 Adam ordered.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright had heard his son shout and had come running up the stairs.\u00a0 He heard Adam order a hot coffee and walked into the room before Joe could reply.\u00a0 \u201cI had that coffee made, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa…\u201d\u00a0 Adam started.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said sternly.<\/p>\n

Adam said no more.\u00a0 He just drank his cold coffee in silence.<\/p>\n

Adam fell asleep after Joe removed his breakfast tray.\u00a0 His head throbbed and he felt hot.\u00a0 His dreams were chased with images of himself riding his spirited horse, roping the cattle for the drive, working, smiling, and laughing with his brothers and the hired hands.<\/p>\n

When he woke up his father was sitting next to his bed.\u00a0 He did not notice it, though, until Ben spoke.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you feeling, son?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I guess.\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied shifting uncomfortably in the bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d\u00a0 Ben placed his hand on his son\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t take much more of this!\u201d\u00a0 Adam sat straight up in the bed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to die from inactivity!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 Ben exclaimed gripping his sons arm tightly.\u00a0 \u201cThe doctor told us to keep you still!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, I can\u2019t live like this!\u201d\u00a0 Adam passed his hand in front of his sightless eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSon, I know.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Adam answered.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t know what it is like to be blind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright was silent.\u00a0 It was true he was not blind nor had he ever been.\u00a0 But his heart ached for his beloved first born son.\u00a0 Once this young man had been active and full of life.\u00a0 Now he sat in the bed restless and upset.\u00a0 He had a new nervous habit of passing his hand in front of his eyes and Ben could just imagine his son trying to tear away the blindness.<\/p>\n

Then Joe opened the door slightly and peeked his head in.\u00a0 \u201cPa,\u201d he spoke softly as he always did in Adam\u2019s presence.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin is here and he wants to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cStay with Adam, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded and sat next to his brother as their father slipped out of the room.\u00a0 \u201cWant me to read to you, Adam?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked desiring to help his injured older brother.<\/p>\n

Adam fell back against the pillow.\u00a0 \u201cIf you want to,\u201d he limply replied and Joe picked up his brother\u2019s copy of Shakespeare that Adam had lying on his dresser.<\/p>\n

Downstairs Doctor Paul Martin was waiting for Ben.\u00a0 He looked up as Ben came down the stairs and walked towards him.\u00a0 \u201cDoc.\u201d\u00a0 Ben greeted his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he, Ben?\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin was brisk and businesslike as usual.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot good I\u2019m afraid, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he always was an energetic youth.\u201d\u00a0 Ben tried to explain his sons plight to the doctor.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now that he is laid up in bed, well, he\u2019s…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s restless, unable to keep still , dying from inactivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen this before.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we do for him?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked anxiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell…I should see him first.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, then, Paul.\u201d\u00a0 Ben lead the doctor toward the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cJoe\u2019s sitting with him, now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face felt hot and he tossed his head restlessly.\u00a0 His brother\u2019s voice reading Shakespeare was grating on his nerves.\u00a0 Joe had never liked the bard and, although he wanted to do his best, his voice expressed his boredom.\u00a0 \u201cStand you awhile aloof.—–Cesario, thou know\u2019st no less but all; I have unclasp\u2019d to thee the book even of my secret soul: Therefore, good youth, address they gait unto her: Be not denied access, stand at her doors…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, do shut up!\u201d\u00a0 Adam finally exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve never heard a worse reading of Twelfth Night in my whole life!\u00a0 If you can\u2019t read it right, don\u2019t read it at all!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m just trying to help you!\u201d\u00a0 Joe answered tears in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cPlease…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust go, Joe!\u2019\u00a0 Adam replied, angrily.\u00a0 \u201cGo away and leave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe put the book down on the bed and silently left the room.<\/p>\n

Ben and Dr. Martin were waiting outside the room.\u00a0 \u201cWe heard everything.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s in a terrible mood.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to read to him but I can\u2019t read it the way he wants.\u00a0 He told me to just leave him alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin looked over at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps I had better go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if that is such a good idea.\u201d\u00a0 Ben looked concerned.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s throwing a tantrum now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin looked at the closed door and raised his eyebrows slightly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a doctor, Ben,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cI think I can fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, then.\u00a0 But do be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u201d\u00a0 Paul opened the bedroom door and entered the room.<\/p>\n

Adam turned his head as he heard Dr. Martin close the door behind him.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, I told you to get out of here!\u201d He exclaimed hotly.\u00a0 \u201cJut leave me alone!\u201d\u00a0 Paul remained silent.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u201d\u00a0 Adam shouted again.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u00a0 Answer me!\u201d<\/p>\n

When Paul would not say a word, wondering how far Adam\u2019s temper tantrum would go, Adam picked up the book Joe had left on the bed and hurled it towards the door.\u00a0 He missed the man by a yard and the mirror smashed the mirror hanging on the wall.<\/p>\n

Paul picked up the book and walked quietly towards Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThat wasn\u2019t bad.\u201d He said softly.\u00a0 \u201cA week or two maybe and you\u2019ll be hitting your target.\u201d\u00a0 For Paul believed that Adam would be well again.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked, once again trying to tear away the blindness in his eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin answered.\u00a0 \u201cNow may I make an examination or…do you have more missiles to launch at me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam tried to laugh but all he managed was a weak smile.\u00a0 \u201cNo…No, I don\u2019t have any more…ahem…missiles.\u00a0 Come on over, Doc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin walked over to the bed and washed his hands in the basin.\u00a0 Adam pulled himself up in the bed and turned his head towards the doctor.\u00a0 \u201cWill I ever be able to see again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam.\u00a0 Here just turn your head slightly and let me see the swelling on the back of your head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam turned so that his back was to the doctor and Paul, gently pulling back his hair, was able to see the bump the falling tree had left on the young man\u2019s head.\u00a0 Paul shook his head at the size of the lump.\u00a0 He was hoping that the swelling would go down but it looked no better than it had the night before.\u00a0 \u201cAdam,\u201d he advised\u00a0 \u201cI want you to bathe this lump every night with cold water.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Doctor.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was suddenly meek.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you have to stay quiet.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, Doctor…\u201d Adam started to protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin walked out of the room closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cI heard glass breaking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul smiled at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe threw a book at me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh!\u201d\u00a0 Ben breathed a sigh of relief.\u00a0 \u201cHow is he doing now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNot well.\u00a0 The swelling on the back of his head worries me.\u00a0 I want you to bathe it every night with cold water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s anxious to get up.\u201d\u00a0 Paul continued.\u00a0 \u201cBut let him get used to the dark before you allow him.\u00a0 Then he can sit on the porch and the porch only.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded again gratefully.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all I can do for you here.\u201d\u00a0 Paul walked down the steps and out the door.\u00a0 \u201cBut if Adam starts having problems send someone for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded as he watched Paul leave.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0 He repeated.<\/p>\n

But if the family had hoped that Adam would start getting easier to handle with the visit of the doctor they were wrong.\u00a0 Paul\u2019s desire for Adam to stay quiet irked the young man to no end.\u00a0 Furthermore his woeful news that Adam might never see again threw the man into a deep dark depression.\u00a0 The slightest kind word or gentle touch and Adam had a fit of temper.\u00a0 Worst of all Adam was snappish towards Joe and Ben feared that his eldest son recalled the accident and his youngest brother\u2019s part in it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, if I told you once, I told you a thousand times GET OUT OF HERE and LEAVE ME ALONE!!\u201d\u00a0 Ben could hear Adam shouting from the upstairs bedroom.<\/p>\n

No amount of Joe\u2019s pleading could sway Adam\u2019s persistent command for his brother to leave.\u00a0 So the youngest Cartwright silently left his brother\u2019s room and walked down the stairs with his head hung low and his hands clenching and unclenching.<\/p>\n

Hoss tried to comfort his younger brother but Joe snapped angrily, \u201cHoss, I\u2019m all right!\u00a0 Just leave me alone!\u201d and then he stormed out of the house.<\/p>\n

Ben sighed, walked towards Hoss and placed a hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re brother\u2019s pretty upset, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why, Pa?\u201d Hoss asked puzzled by Joe\u2019s strange attitude.\u00a0 After all Joe had not done anything wrong.\u00a0 It was just an accident.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s guilt, son.\u00a0 Joe caused Adam\u2019s blindness and now he\u2019s angry at himself for what he did, even though it was not his fault.\u00a0 Let him go.\u00a0 He\u2019ll get over it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI hope so, Pa.\u00a0 I shore hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Outside Joe leant against the side of the house and wiped his sleeve across his eyes.\u00a0 His heart was close to the breaking point and his lower lip quivered.\u00a0 He knew that upstairs his brother lay in the darkness, a darkness that he had caused.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s brain was reeling between sorrow, anger and guilt.\u00a0 Sorrow for his poor brother, anger at his brother for refusing his help, and guilt over the pain he had caused Adam.\u00a0 Joe wanted to scream, \u201cAdam! You fool! Let me help you!\u201d\u00a0 He wanted to ease his guilty conscience and Adam refused to let him.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes traveled over the ranch and came to rest at last on a little bird hopping along on the ground.\u00a0 He wondered why the bird did not attempt to fly away but then he realized that the bird had a broken wing.\u00a0 Joe walked over to the bird and gently scooped it up in his hand.<\/p>\n

He entered the kitchen intent on bandaging the bird\u2019s wing despite Hop Sing\u2019s protests.\u00a0 It was while Joe was placing a splint on the bird that he realized how much like Adam the bird was.\u00a0 The bird had lost its wing, a thing very important to it.\u00a0 Adam had lost his sight, a thing very important to him.\u00a0 Yet, the bird had learned how to adjust by walking along on the ground.\u00a0 Well, if the bird had learned how to live without its wing could not Adam do the same?\u00a0 Joe believed he could but he just had to discover how.<\/p>\n

The he remembered Gabrielle Wickham, a little blind girl that the Cartwright\u2019s had helped.\u00a0 She did very well without her sight but he could not recall how she had done it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, you take bird out of Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen and take more water up to Mista Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing was quite agitated with Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, don\u2019t want me around.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said sadly slipping into improper English.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo care.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing answered.\u00a0 \u201cYou just take water to Number One Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u00a0 All right.\u201d\u00a0 Joe set the bird gently on the table and took a water pitcher from Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cWatch the bird, will you, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou no worry \u2018bout bird.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing answered.\u00a0 \u201cYou worry \u2018bout brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am worried about my brother.\u201d\u00a0 Joe walked sadly and slowly out of the kitchen and headed towards the stairs.<\/p>\n

He opened his brother\u2019s door and entered the room.\u00a0 Adam lay silently, his eyes closed, his hands crossed over his chest.\u00a0 He turned his head as he heard Joe replace his empty water pitcher with a full one.\u00a0 He figured that it was his youngest brother because Joe always accomplished all his tasks without ever speaking a word.\u00a0 Hoss and Ben, on the other hand, always spoke gentle, reassuring words to the blind man as they went about doing their work.<\/p>\n

Adam refused to speak to his brother because somewhere lurking in the back of his mind was the final realization that Joe had been involved in his accident.\u00a0 At last some part of it was coming back to him.\u00a0 He could remember a tree falling, could hear Joe shouting \u201cTIMBER!!\u201d\u00a0 He felt himself falling, calling out his brother\u2019s name and then a dull thud on the back of his head as he fell underneath the tree.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d\u00a0 Adam sat straight up and turned towards his brother.\u00a0 \u201cJoe!\u00a0 Stop what you\u2019re doing right now and talk to me!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I will, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied sitting down, glad to talk to his brother.<\/p>\n

But what Adam wanted to talk about Joe did not.\u00a0 \u201cTell me what happened the day of the accident!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam\u2026\u201d Joe\u2019s face fell.\u00a0 He shifted slightly in his chair.<\/p>\n

Adam reached out and grabbed Joe\u2019s arm tightly.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, tell me, tell me now!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!!\u201d\u00a0 Joe exclaimed as his brother\u2019s fingers dug into his arm.\u00a0 Adam had spanked Joe, of course, but other than that he had never hurt his younger brother.\u00a0 But now Adam\u2019s fingers closed tighter around his arm and Joe gasped involuntarily at the pain.<\/p>\n

Adam sensed, then, what he was doing to his brother and he quickly released Joe\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m\u2026I\u2019m sorry, Joe.\u201d He murmured falling back on the pillow.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied.\u00a0 He stood up and started to walk towards the door.\u00a0 Then he looked back at his brother, lying still and quiet again on the pillow.\u00a0 \u201cAdam,\u201d Joe ventured to ask.\u00a0 \u201cHow did you know where I was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied unhappily.\u00a0 \u201cI sensed where you were, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said walking out and shutting the door behind him.\u00a0 Suddenly the solution that had been puzzling him came to him.\u00a0 Gabrielle Wickham had managed to \u2018see\u2019 by using her ears.\u00a0 She had heard Hop Sing fall over the chair and knew it was him.\u00a0 Yes, that was it! The solution to his problem.\u00a0 Now, if he could only make Adam understand that.<\/p>\n

The water was wide and so beautiful.\u00a0 The sky above him was blue and dotted with white clouds.\u00a0 The sun was yellow and very warm bathing him in its glow.\u00a0 The grass under his feet was green and soft with some brightly colored wildflowers growing loosely among it.\u00a0 A tree grew in the distance tall and strong with large branches that spread in all directions.\u00a0 Adam stood still and just let the wind rush over him, tossing his hair as it blew over the land.\u00a0 He was content and happy.<\/p>\n

Then he woke up expecting to see the sun streaming through his open window.\u00a0 What he saw was nothingness, a black vat of space and Adam Cartwright wept.<\/p>\n

Joe was unable to sleep.\u00a0 He kept tossing and turning in his bed.\u00a0 In his mind lurked the picture of the tree falling on his brother blotting out his brother\u2019s sight.\u00a0 He heard Adam shout out his name then the deadly silence as the elder Cartwright blacked out.\u00a0 He heard the doctor\u2019s diagnosis again and his heart once again sank to his feet.\u00a0 When he did finally fall asleep he relieved the accident in his dreams.\u00a0 He kept hearing his voice shout out \u201cTIMBER!\u201d\u00a0 Kept seeing Adam trying to move but his foot was caught in a vine and he tripped collapsing in the path of the falling tree.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, watch out!\u201d\u00a0 Joe shouted and sat up quickly.\u00a0 He looked around and sighed.\u00a0 He was alone in his bedroom lying in the stillness of the dark.\u00a0 But across the hall lay his brother a prisoner forever in the darkness and a tear glistened in Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

Unable to sleep Joe got out of bed and turned up the lamp light.\u00a0 He sat motionless on the side of his bed then standing up he walked out of his room, down the hall toward Adam.<\/p>\n

He opened his brother\u2019s door and peeked in.\u00a0 Adam lay on his back, his eyes closed.\u00a0 Joe walked over to his brother\u2019s side and looked down at him for a moment.\u00a0 A smile played along the corner of Adam\u2019s mouth and he slept peacefully.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s eyes searched Adam\u2019s face.\u00a0 He wondered what his brother was dreaming about.\u00a0 Whatever it was, it was a wonderful dream, a peaceful dream and Little Joe suddenly felt tired.\u00a0 He sat in the chair next to his sleeping brother just watching Adam.\u00a0 His eyes felt heavy and then they closed.\u00a0 For the first time since the accident Little Joe was able to actually sleep.\u00a0 Being near Adam seemed to help Joe.\u00a0 This way he could help Adam if the older Cartwright needed anything.<\/p>\n

Joe Cartwright woke up with a start.\u00a0 He heard the sound of weeping and he turned towards the bed.\u00a0 His older brother lay on his back, his sightless eyes staring at the ceiling, tears streaming from them.\u00a0 Joe sat silent for several minutes, then he whispered \u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Adam gasped.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s there?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just me, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d\u00a0 Adam demanded wiping his eyes.\u00a0 He was ashamed that his youngest brother and seen him crying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to help you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.\u00a0 \u201cNow that\u2019s a laugh.\u00a0 I\u2019m blind, little brother, remember that?\u00a0 Blind!\u00a0 Unable to see! Remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe sat silently for several moments.\u00a0 Then he turned up the bedside lamp, picked up his brother\u2019s book, and very quietly turned the pages.<\/p>\n

Adam lay in bed waiting for his brother to say something after his outburst.\u00a0 When Joe made no reply Adam was curious and wanted to make sure that Joe was still in the room.\u00a0 So he asked his brother, \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Little Joe was silent.\u00a0 Somehow he knew that Adam had a new gift, a very special gift.\u00a0 And he was determined to prove to Adam how he could use that gift.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou tell me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe finally answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Adam exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to know what I\u2019m doing.\u00a0 You tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUse your ears.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re joshing me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am not!\u00a0 Go ahead! Try it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was silent for several moments.\u00a0 Joe continued his page turning very quietly and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWell\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam finally answered.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re\u2026you\u2019re reading.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right!\u201d\u00a0 Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cGood job, Adam that was wonderful!\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time since the accident Adam really smiled.\u00a0 \u201cDid I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe patted his brother\u2019s hand gently.\u00a0 \u201cYes you did it, Adam.\u00a0 You can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Joe smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou have a new gift special gift.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked curiously.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see with your ears!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can!\u201d\u00a0 Adam exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cYou just nodded your head!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I did.\u201d\u00a0 Joe agreed.\u00a0 \u201cNow tell me how did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard your hair brush against your shirt.\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe said softly.\u00a0 \u201cSee what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, you have done me a great favor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s eyes lit up.\u00a0 \u201cI have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded again.\u00a0 \u201cI was lying here in the dark pitying myself because I was blind.\u00a0 Then you came in and showed me how mistaken I was.\u00a0 You put meaning back into my life and taught me a lesson I will never forget.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s heart leapt and his face glowed happily.\u00a0 From causing the accident to giving his brother hope, Joe had suffered.\u00a0 But now he was truly happy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe?\u201d\u00a0 Adam called.\u00a0 He was struggling to sit up in bed but he turned his face towards the open door.\u00a0 \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe dashed up the stairs toward his brother\u2019s room and walked in.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u201d he exclaimed startled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing up?\u00a0 Doc told us to keep you quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at his younger brother.\u00a0 \u201cLast night you helped me to see again.\u00a0 Today I want to get up and eat breakfast with the rest of the family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that such a good idea, Adam?\u201d\u00a0 Joe inquired anxiously.\u00a0 Would his brother be able to feel his way enough to eat?\u00a0 Would he be able to find his knife, fork, and plate?\u00a0 Or would he blunder and make a fool of himself in front of his father and brother?\u00a0 Joe loved Adam dearly and did not want his brother embarrassing himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe,\u201d\u00a0 Adam stood up shakily, his hands gripping the chair next to his bed.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, don\u2019t worry about me.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be all right.\u00a0 Now are you going to help me or do I walk down those stairs myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe did not any time to decide.\u00a0 He walked towards his brother and wrapped an arm securely around the older Cartwright\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI help you.\u201d\u00a0 He replied.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 He walked carefully toward the door clutching tightly to his brother.\u00a0 This was a new experience for him, walking in the dark.\u00a0 Before the accident he could always turn up the light but now no one could turn on the lights.\u00a0 Joe understood his brother\u2019s fear and helped him carefully down the stairs toward the dining table.<\/p>\n

Ben looked up as his sons walked toward the table together.\u00a0 Joe walked carefully beside the settee, the stopped at the table next to Adam\u2019s place.\u00a0 He pulled out the chair and helped his brother into it.\u00a0 Adam smiled up at Joe, and then reached for his silverware.\u00a0 They were not there and he turned his head towards his father\u2019s place across the table.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.\u00a0 \u201cCould I have some silverware?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben stood up and walked towards his son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, are you sure that you should be down here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPa,\u201d Adam smiled up at his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I\u2019m quite sure.\u00a0 Now how about that silverware?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, all right.\u201d\u00a0 Ben walked towards the kitchen.\u00a0 He came back with silverware, a plate, and a glass.\u00a0 He set the plate down and the glass next to it.\u00a0 Then the silverware he placed gently in its proper places.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled up at his father.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 he picked up his plate and handed it to Hoss,\u00a0 \u201cHoss, could I have some of those eggs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShore, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss piled the plate with eggs and bacon.\u00a0 Then he handed the plate back to Adam.\u00a0 Joe filled his glass with water and Adam, picking up his fork, started to eat.\u00a0 Ben, Hoss, and Joe watched him anxiously.\u00a0 Adam missed his mouth once and laughed at himself.\u00a0 Then he turned towards his father and Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you eat breakfast?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t you see I\u2019m all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded and Joe patted his brother\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled and he and Ben walked towards their chairs.\u00a0 Still they could not help watching Adam as he continued eating.\u00a0 The rest of the meal went on uneventfully.\u00a0 Except for little minor accidents that Adam made, including once knocking over his water glass, the rest of the Cartwright\u2019s almost forgot that Adam\u2019s hazel eyes saw nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHear that bird?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.\u00a0 He and his family were sitting outside on the porch that night.<\/p>\n

Joe listened.\u00a0 Then he winked at his father.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is it?\u201d\u00a0 he asked Adam.<\/p>\n

Adam was silent for a moment.\u00a0 Then he smiled and pointed to a tree growing beside the porch.\u00a0 \u201cThere.\u201d He answered.<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the tree.\u00a0 Sure enough the gaily decorated bird was perched in the tree singing its heart out.\u00a0 Joe smiled and Ben squeezed his eldest son\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cGood job, son!\u201d\u00a0 Ben was enthusiastic.\u00a0 \u201cVery good job!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled and leant back in his chair.\u00a0 There was a very tender bump on the back of his head that still pained him.\u00a0 He kept hoping that the swelling would go down but so far it had not.\u00a0 \u201cPa, could I have some water?\u201d he inquired.\u00a0 \u201cWe should try to reduce this lump.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked over at his son.\u00a0 \u201cLet me see it, Adam.\u201d He anxiously peered at it.\u00a0 \u201cHmmm.\u00a0 Yes, we\u2019ll try some cold water.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben walked into the house and towards the kitchen where he filled a tub with cold water, took a rag from Hop Sing, and walked back out to his sons.\u00a0 The sun had started sinking in the sky and Adam lifted his head to view it with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cThe suns starting to go down.\u201d He announced to his family.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow can you tell?\u201d\u00a0 Ben inquired setting the basin on the table.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 Here he had an advantage over his father and brothers.\u00a0 \u201cTwo ways.\u201d He answered. \u201cOne is the way the suns rays hit my face.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and his son continued.\u00a0 \u201cThe second way is the birds.\u00a0 They have a special call when the sun starts to sink.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at Adam for a moment his eyes moist.\u00a0 Then he dampened the rag in the water and applied it to the back of Adam\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

The pressure he applied was gentle but firm and Adam winced slightly.\u00a0 He turned to his father when Ben finished.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, son.\u201d Ben replied.\u00a0 Then he put his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cReady for bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ordinarily Adam sat up and read or played his guitar and sang.\u00a0 But today he was so tired and so he nodded and stood up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled sadly and took his son\u2019s hand in his own leading him gently into the house and towards his room.<\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam came down the stairs still a little unsure of his footing but tall and straight again.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up and started to walk toward his son.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGo back to your seat, Pa.\u00a0 I can manage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben watched his son proudly.\u00a0 Adam, although still unable to see, was able to make his way to the breakfast table unassisted.\u00a0 He was even able to eat his breakfast without a single mishap.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam finished his eggs, set down his fork and picked up his cup of hot coffee.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m actually getting used to living in the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe choked on his water and Adam smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cThis morning I thought I saw sunlight.\u201d\u00a0 Adam continued.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, did you leave my window open last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know I was in your room last night?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked surprised.\u00a0 He thought he had been quiet so as not to disturb his sleeping brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied simply.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not as quiet as you thought you were.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0 He admitted.\u00a0 \u201cI opened the window last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Adam was grateful.\u00a0 \u201cThe air felt so good.\u00a0 Pa, would you mind if I sat outside for awhile?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben pushed back his chair.\u00a0 \u201cOf course you can, son.\u00a0 Do you need any help?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled towards his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cJust from the door to the porch chair.\u00a0 I can make it to the door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood up quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go with Adam, Pa.\u00a0 Hoss and I have work to do anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded at Joe.\u00a0 Then he, too, stood up walked past Adam and patted him on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cEnjoy the air, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled again.\u00a0 \u201cI will.\u00a0 Thanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then Ben walked to his desk and sat in the chair behind it.\u00a0 He picked up his paperwork but his eyes watched Adam.\u00a0 The young man was actually laughing as he handed Hop Sing his plates.\u00a0 \u201cVery good to see you, Mista Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing took Adam\u2019s coffee cup.\u00a0 \u201cHouse not same with you not fightin\u2019 with Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad to be up too, Hop Sing.\u00a0 You\u2019re eggs never taste the same if I\u2019m eating them in bed.\u201d\u00a0 Then he stood up and walked towards the door.<\/p>\n

Outside he stumbled only once a he and Joe made their way to the porch chair.\u00a0 Joe clutched his brother\u2019s arm tighter and Adam laughed at himself \u201cClumsy!\u201d he insulted himself and Joe managed to crack a smile.<\/p>\n

He had not gotten over the guilt he felt at causing his brother\u2019s blindness.\u00a0 And although Adam had told him \u201cEverything is all right\u201d Joe could never forgive himself for the harm he had caused his beloved older brother.<\/p>\n

Joe carefully helped Adam sink into the chair then he turned to work with Hoss in the barn.\u00a0 Adam leant his head against the back of the chair and tilted his head upwads toward the sky.\u00a0 He knew it was blue and dotted with white clouds but he could not see it.\u00a0 He heard a bird whistling beside him and turning he whistled back.<\/p>\n

For a long time Adam sat enjoying the smell of the trees and the voices of nature.\u00a0 Then his eyes slowly closed and he fell asleep.<\/p>\n

It was such a wonderful dream.\u00a0 He dreamt that he could see again.\u00a0 The sun was just rising towards noonday and he looked up at it with a laugh, waving his arm and basking in its glow.\u00a0 Beside him grew a tree tall and firm and Adam marveled at the beauty of the pine.\u00a0 A bird sang gaily from its green boughs and his wandering eyes took in its bright colors.<\/p>\n

Then his eyes traveled over the ranch.\u00a0 He saw the barn, the corral, the bunkhouse and his heart leapt for joy as he looked up at the ranch house that he had designed years ago.\u00a0 Oh, life had new meaning for the man again.<\/p>\n

But then he woke up and the dream had disappeared.\u00a0 What he faced was reality, a stark cold reality.\u00a0 It was still dark for him but he could see a little bit of light far off in the distance.\u00a0 It looked like sunshine and Adam rubbed his eyes vigorously striving to focus those sightless orbs.\u00a0 He heard the door close and footsteps coming toward him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa. is the sun still shining?\u201d\u00a0 Adam inquired.<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright had ceased to be amazed at his son\u2019s uncanny ability to distinguish which of the family was approaching.\u00a0 He knew that it was Joe who had snapped the older Cartwright out of his depression but he was not sure it Joe was the person behind Adam\u2019s new sense of sight.\u00a0 \u201cYes, son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s almost noon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood heavens!\u201d\u00a0 Adam exclaimed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve slept for much too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben smiled sadly.\u00a0 His son, unable to see to read or work had very little to do except sleep.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want something to eat, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Thank you, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 His father grasped his arm tightly and helped him toward the house.\u00a0 \u201cPa.\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked as they walked inside.\u00a0 \u201cHow is Sport?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSport is fine, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe opened the door for his father and brother.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and me been exercising him daily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss and I.\u201d\u00a0 Adam admonished gently.\u00a0 \u201cHave been exercising him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, teacher.\u201d\u00a0 Joe teased.\u00a0 And Adam led by the sound of his brother\u2019s voice carefully tapped Joe\u2019s chin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really want to ride again.\u201d\u00a0 Adam voiced one of his greatest wishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben was doubtful.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe begged his father when Adam fell silent.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go out with him if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re brother does not need you, I\u2019m sure.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up for his eldest son.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s not what\u2019s worrying me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat does, then?\u201d\u00a0 Adam inquired grateful for his father\u2019s confidence in him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoc told us to keep you still.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.\u00a0 \u201cHe said you could sit on the porch but that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 \u201cI feel like a caged animal.\u201d He muttered as he started to eat.<\/p>\n

Ben sat eating in silence.\u00a0 His fatherly heart ached as he watched his once active son who he had denied the freedom of riding.\u00a0 Surely a brisk ride could do Adam more good than harm.\u00a0 Still Doc Martin had warned them about moving Adam too much.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s still a very weak man.\u201d\u00a0 Paul Martin had told Ben.\u00a0 \u201cI would not let him do too much too soon.\u00a0 Let him sit on the porch but don\u2019t let him try anything else yet.\u00a0 Adam still needs to learn how to maneuver in his new dark before you could let him go explore again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben paused in his recollection.\u00a0 His son had learned how to live in the dark.\u00a0 Adam could dress himself, come down the stairs, and eat meals without having any mishaps.\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t he explore the outside world more?<\/p>\n

Finally, just as the family finished their midday meal Ben addressed Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIf you still want to take that ride, son, I\u2019ll have Joe saddle Sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked over at his father his face glowing.\u00a0 \u201cCan I, Pa?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYes, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d\u00a0 Adam gasped.\u00a0 \u201cSaddle my horse!\u00a0 I\u2019m going riding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWant me to go with him, Pa?\u00a0 Hoss inquired as his brother\u2019s disappeared.<\/p>\n

Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Hoss.\u00a0 Let him go alone and tell Joe to do the same.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be all right.\u201d\u00a0 And deep down inside Ben knew he would.<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart was light and he sang joyfully as he rode proudly along on his majestic steed, Sport.\u00a0 He was out of the house, away from the loving hands of his father and brothers.\u00a0 He was grateful that they worried so much about him but they bothered the moody melancholic man who craved his own personal space.<\/p>\n

He stopped when he heard another horse approaching and pulled back into the brush and rocks surrounding the road.\u00a0 The rider had seen him though and called out to him \u201cAdam! Adam Cartwright!\u201d and Adam\u2019s face broke into a happy smile as he cantered toward his visitor.<\/p>\n

\u201cSheriff.\u201d He acknowledged Roy Coffee the sheriff of Virginia City.\u00a0 \u201cWhat brings you out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA ride to see how you are doing.\u201d\u00a0 Roy replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d\u00a0 Adam assured the sheriff.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be.\u201d\u00a0 Roy surveyed the man before him critically.\u00a0 \u201cRiding alone and all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled as he looked towards his friend\u2019s voice.\u00a0 But what was this?\u00a0 Had voices grown shadows?\u00a0 Adam could have sworn that he saw Sheriff Coffee\u2019s shadow against the sun.\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 No, it must have been his imagination.\u00a0 He was blind!<\/p>\n

And yet the whole way home, with Sheriff Coffee riding beside him Adam kept seeing\u2014if you want to call it seeing\u2014two things.\u00a0 A flicker of light far off in the distance and the shadows of things he passed.\u00a0 That rock beside the trail or the tree ahead that Sport turned aside to avoid hitting left shadows for him.\u00a0 Suddenly his heart leapt, was it too much to hope for or was he regaining his sight?\u00a0 He decided not to let this hope get the better of him and wait to see what morning would bring.<\/p>\n

With the morning came the sunlight streaming through his open bedroom window.\u00a0 And this time when Adam opened his eyes he saw not the dark he had been experiencing but instead a bright light.\u00a0 It penetrated deep within him, warming him with its glow and Adam felt alive again.<\/p>\n

He sprung out of bed hoping to be able to see everything.\u00a0 Most of his world was still dark, but now he could make out shadows and the shadows were his world.\u00a0 Adam did not mind.\u00a0 So long as he could still see the bright sunlight that gave him hope, Adam was happy.<\/p>\n

At breakfast that morning the family said little.\u00a0 Usually they would discuss the days work ahead, but since Adam\u2019s accident Ben, Joe, and Hoss talked business out of the young man\u2019s earshot.\u00a0 Oh, there was a remark or two about the weather and Hop Sing\u2019s excellent breakfast but little else was said.<\/p>\n

Today Adam could see the sunlight in the window behind his father.\u00a0 It might not have been very bright but he could see it and he could see his father\u2019s shadow, too.\u00a0 He smiled as he watched his father eat and then he turned from Hoss to Joe.\u00a0 He could make out their shadows, too, and his heart felt lighter.<\/p>\n

But he had a headache and when Joe suggested he sit on the porch again Adam declined.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Adam?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked worried.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m all right, Joe.\u201d He assured his youngest brother.\u00a0 \u201cMy head just throbs a little.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMost likely the bump on your head.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stood up and walked toward his son.\u00a0 \u201cLet me see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam flinched slightly as Ben carefully parted his son\u2019s hair and examined the lump on his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not as big as it once was.\u201d\u00a0 Ben assured Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact it\u2019s almost gone.\u00a0 But I\u2019ll get some water and we\u2019ll bathe it a few more times.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked into the kitchen and brought back a basin of water.\u00a0 The rag he placed on his son\u2019s head was cold and comfortable.\u00a0 When his father had finished Adam stood up with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m all right now, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 He assured his father.\u00a0 The he looked over at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cI think I might sit outside after all, Little Joe.\u00a0 Ready?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe took his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I…\u201d he helped his brother outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, we\u2019ve been through this before.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all right.\u00a0 Really it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe assisted Adam only slightly as the older man sank into the porch chair then Joe turned and reentered the house.<\/p>\n

Adam was enjoying his slowly returning sight.\u00a0 The sunlight had pierced through his darkness making it bright and happy again.\u00a0 Now he could see the shadow of the birds that sang so gaily at his elbow.\u00a0 He could see the scent of the trees whose scent he had so enjoyed.\u00a0 He leant back in the chair just letting his eyes wander over the ranch trying to bring the shadows into focus.<\/p>\n

He felt so successful when he saw one of the horses.\u00a0 He really saw the horse.\u00a0 It was a milky white colt that Hoss had let into the corral.\u00a0 Adam almost laughed with delight when the horse came fully into his sights.<\/p>\n

Adam stood up and walked toward the horse.\u00a0 He let himself into the corral, the gate was fuzzy but he was able to find it, and he walked over to the colt.\u00a0 He knelt next to it and wrapped his arms around the animal.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou beautiful…beautiful beast.\u201d\u00a0 Adam hugged the horse gaily.\u00a0 \u201cYou are the most wonderful sight in the whole world.\u00a0 What\u2019s your name, girl?\u00a0 What did Hoss and Joe name you, huh?\u201d\u00a0 Then he turned towards the barn.\u00a0 \u201cJoe! Hoss!\u201d he called.<\/p>\n

Joe came running out of the barn Hoss close behind him.\u00a0 Both brothers\u2019 were a little worried.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s heart leapt into his throat as he saw Adam\u2019s empty chair.\u00a0 What had happened to his brother?\u00a0 Had Adam attempted to walk into the house alone and lost his footing falling somewhere out of sight?\u00a0 Joe and Hoss rushed toward the house when they heard a voice call \u201cNot over there, Joe, Hoss.\u00a0 Over here.\u201d\u00a0 And they turned to see their brother calmly leaning against the corral fence.\u00a0 He waved to them and they rushed over.<\/p>\n

Adam was smiling at then, actually smiling.\u00a0 Joe had not seen his brother so happy in a long, long time.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s face practically glowed with joy and he was pulling off one of his famous leans against the fence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 Joe called rushing to the corral.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u00a0 What are you doing away from the porch?\u00a0 How did you get out here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI walked.\u201d\u00a0 Adam coolly replied brushing a speck of imaginary dust off of his suit.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut…but…\u201d Joe stammered.<\/p>\n

Adam, placing one hand on the fence leapt over the gate to stand next to his brothers.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, I can see again!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss was too surprised to say anything and Joe stood with his mouth hanging open.\u00a0 Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, you look like the fish we catch in Lake Tahoe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe snapped his mouth shut.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, are you sure?\u00a0 Can you really see?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many fingers am I holding up?\u201d\u00a0 Joe held up four fingers.<\/p>\n

\u201cFour.\u201d\u00a0 Adam answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see!\u201d\u00a0 Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n

Adam nodded again.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s still a little fuzzy, Joe.\u00a0 But I can see!\u201d\u00a0 he breathed the words savoring every moment of it as he rolled the glorious sentence off of his tongue.\u00a0 \u201cI can see!\u201d<\/p>\n

Yes, Doctor Paul Martin agreed when he arrived at the house, Adam had regained his sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a miracle!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss and Joe exclaimed.<\/p>\n

But Doctor Martin was more practical.\u00a0 \u201cThe lump on the back of his head was the key.\u201d\u00a0 He told the happy Cartwright family.\u00a0 \u201cWhen the tree crashed into the back oh his head it must have fallen on the part of his skull just above the optic nerve.\u00a0 The lump that formed was some type of blockage, maybe some type of fluid buildup that pressed on his optic nerve temporarily voiding out his sight.\u00a0 Then when the swelling went down and whatever the obstruction was dissipated, the optic nerves returned to normal and his sight was restored.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grasped the doctor\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cThank you so much, Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul Martin smiled at the happy young man.\u00a0 \u201cTake it easy for awhile, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to strain your eyes too much too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 Adam promised.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can he do?\u201d\u00a0 Ben wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, ride a little, work, of course.\u00a0 He won\u2019t just stand around if I know Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Paul smiled and Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cBut don\u2019t read anything for another week, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Adam frowned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll help you, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Doctor Martin advised.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll do it.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said quickly for his son.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019ll do it.\u201d\u00a0 Adam agreed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want this to happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paul smiled as he prepared to leave the house.\u00a0 \u201cWatch yourself and it won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s sight fully returned within a week.\u00a0 He was once again working, riding, and laughing with his family and the other men.\u00a0 Adam stayed his own moody self but he and Joe built a better, stronger bond.\u00a0 Adam was able to appreciate his sight more and he was grateful for his brothers and his father.\u00a0 Joe was able to appreciate Adam more and he was also more careful at work and play.<\/p>\n

THE END<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

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

Summary: \u00a0The darkness can be either a friend or an enemy.\u00a0 But when a man loses something very dear to him he discovers how deadly the darkness can become \u00a0<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0K+ (10,975 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":170,"featured_media":5266,"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":[23],"tags":[14,16],"class_list":["post-5452","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drama","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-joe","wpcat-23-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2463,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/Friendship-4.jpg?fit=500%2C373&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11883,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11883","url_meta":{"origin":5452,"position":0},"title":"Dark of Night (by Helen A)","author":"HelenA","date":"March 14, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It's not always a person who can comfort after a nightmare. Rating:\u00a0 K\u00a0 (1,000 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Joe-copy-7.jpg?fit=594%2C592&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11887,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=11887","url_meta":{"origin":5452,"position":1},"title":"Night Visitor (by Helen A)","author":"HelenA","date":"August 14, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Not everything that shuffles in the night is a bad omen. 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