Summary: When a little boy is left in Little Joe’s care, he hopes to adopt him however problems arise which might prevent the adoption. A tale of love and loss.<\/p>\n
Rating T, WC 19,382<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Calling Up Angels<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWhen God in his wisdom sends to the earth, calling up angels he sends down a birth.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben Cartwright turned his head in time to see his youngest son, Joseph, running trying to flee from his pursuer.\u00a0 The four-year-old boy was rapidly gaining on Joe and when he finally reached him, Joe swept the little boy up in his arms and they crashed down in the thick meadow grass laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cThose two!\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed and looked around the picnic blanket at the other spectators.\u00a0 Both Kevin and Kay Patrick sat there smiling as they watched their toddler at play.\u00a0 Hoss and Adam Cartwright wore smiles as well, watching their little brother cavorting with the youngster.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe ain\u2019t nothing but a big kid himself!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss joined in on the laughter and finished the last bite of his sandwich.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, Hoss.\u00a0 But, he sure does love that little guy doesn\u2019t he?\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied.<\/p>\n \u201cHeaven brought us both Joe and Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Kay smiled remembering back four years, it had been Joe Cartwright who had delivered her son.\u00a0 She thought back on that terrifying day when her wagon wheel had broken, spilling her out on the road which led into Virginia City.\u00a0 If Joe hadn\u2019t happened by she was sure that both herself and her infant would have died.<\/p>\n \u201cYou couldn\u2019t ask for a better Godfather than Joe.\u00a0 But he does spoil our boy terribly!\u201d\u00a0 Kevin sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHe never fails to bring the boy a gift every single time he stops by.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s good for him.\u201d\u00a0 Adam broke in again.\u00a0 \u201cSince Joe was spoiled rotten by our father, it\u2019s only fair he kinda passes on the tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shot his eldest son a warning look in response.\u00a0 While it was common knowledge that he had leaned toward giving his youngest a bit more than he had his oldest sons at times, Ben refused to admit it.\u00a0 After all, Ben knew it was his last child so he felt it was only fair.<\/p>\n \u201cOh-oh, Adam-\u201d Hoss started and gave a toothful grin.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like you struck a nerve.\u00a0 Let\u2019s you and me try and catch up with Joey and steal him from our own little brother!\u201d Hoss stood and Adam followed his lead.\u00a0 They headed down the hill toward where Joe was happily tossing the youngster in the air.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have fine sons, Ben.\u00a0 And we couldn\u2019t have asked for better neighbors or friends.\u201d\u00a0 Kay reached over and patted her friend\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, to say it hasn\u2019t been our pleasure would be an awful lie.\u00a0 Your friendship as well as the love of your little boy has helped us all.\u00a0 I just love to watch Joseph playing with Joey.\u00a0 Sometimes I feel he missed out on having a younger brother or sister to play with.\u00a0 Looks like he is making up for that now.\u201d<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–Joey–this is the last time–you hear?\u00a0 My arms are giving out on me!\u201d\u00a0 Joe protested and readied to toss the boy up into the air one final time.\u00a0 Joey squealed in delight as he felt the wind at his face when he went airborne.\u00a0 Coming down laughing, Joe again caught him safely in his strong arms.\u00a0 The same arms which had helped to bring him into the world.<\/p>\n \u201cGain!\u201d\u00a0 Joey persisted, trying for a bit of a pout to urge Joe onward.<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u00a0 That\u2019s it.\u00a0 You are going to get sick–you just ate a little while ago.\u00a0 Now wipe off that silly pout or I will pout myself.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said, and with that statement he made an awful face which made the little boy chuckle.<\/p>\n \u201cHey–there, Joey!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss called out and swept the boy up to his shoulders.\u00a0 The boy threw his legs around the big man\u2019s neck and knew it was time to play horsey.\u00a0 \u201cReady to ride there, Partner?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked and started to pretend he was pawing the ground with his boot.<\/p>\n \u201cWeady!\u201d\u00a0 Joey called out and Hoss started to gallop down the hill.<\/p>\n \u201cSnatched my boy again, dad bern it!\u201d\u00a0 Joe frowned up at Adam and pulled himself to standing.<\/p>\n \u201cYour boy?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked teasing.\u00a0 He knew how his brother felt about the kid.<\/p>\n \u201cHey–I am the Godfather you know?\u00a0 So, when he\u2019s with me he\u2019s mine.\u201d\u00a0 Joe protested.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah–well don\u2019t let Kevin hear that–he\u2019ll take it the wrong way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh–Adam–I\u2019m only joshing.\u00a0 I just love that little guy, he\u2019s like a brother to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Joe–you have no idea how pesky a little brother can be.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grinned remembering all that his youngest brother had put him through over the past twenty-three years.<\/p>\n \u201cSurely, you\u2019re not referring to me?\u00a0 I\u2019m sure that I was just as cute as Joey \u2013now, wasn\u2019t I?\u201d Joe looked into his brother\u2019s eyes for confirmation.<\/p>\n Adam just shook his head amused.\u00a0 \u201cYou were never that cute!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what Pa says,\u201d Joe laughed and threw his arm around Adam\u2019s shoulder and started to walk up the hill.<\/p>\n \u201cPa doesn\u2019t count, Joe.\u00a0 Besides, I think our father still thinks you\u2019re cute,\u201d Adam slapped his brother on the back and watched as Joe got the hint.\u00a0 The two young men ran up the hill, just as they had done so many times in their youth, always trying to prove who was the fastest.<\/p>\n By the time the two Cartwright brothers collapsed on the picnic blanket together they were out of breath.\u00a0 This was the first time that they had made it to their destination in a dead heat.\u00a0 Neither one had outshone the other.\u00a0 Ben watched and listened to see how it would be addressed by his boys.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t get the idea that I\u2019m slowing down, Joe.\u00a0 I just ate too much,\u201d Adam spat out still winded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ve been tossing Joey for hours or I could\u2019ve beaten you by plenty,\u201d Joe bragged, though he was also fighting to catch his breath.<\/p>\n Ben shook his head amused at his two son\u2019s constant rivalry.<\/p>\n \u201cYou BOTH are getting old,\u201d Ben smiled down at them and they all laughed.<\/p>\n Kay and Kevin gathered up their belongings and put them in the back of their wagon as Hoss finally made it back with Joey.\u00a0 He sat the little boy back down and patted his head.<\/p>\n \u201cHorsey tired.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said to Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cYep–horsey VERY tired!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss replied and walked over to help his father with the picnic basket.\u00a0 The Cartwrights helped their father with the picnic supplies and then leaving him by the buckboard they walked over to say goodbye to the Patrick family.<\/p>\n \u201cSee you soon, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled and patted the little boy on the back.\u00a0 Hoss ruffled the boy\u2019s blonde hair and said his goodbyes and walked over to his horse.\u00a0 Joe was the last to approach the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey–I\u2019ll be by to see you sometime this week.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and started to turn away when all of a sudden Joey flung himself into Joe\u2019s arms.\u00a0 Joe almost dropped the boy, surprised by his actions.<\/p>\n \u201cNO!\u00a0 Go wit you!\u201d\u00a0 Joey hollered.<\/p>\n Joe looked helplessly over at Kay.\u00a0 He was a sucker for the kid\u2019s big blue eyes and his mother knew what Joe was feeling.\u00a0 Kay stepped down from the wagon and walked over to Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey–Joe has things he has to do.\u00a0 He\u2019ll come over later on.\u201d\u00a0 She tried to pry the boy\u2019s arms off of Joe\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n \u201cNo–now not later.\u201d\u00a0 Joey protested again.\u00a0 Kevin shook his head part amused and part upset by the strong bond that Joe and Joey had.<\/p>\n Ben saw what was going on and reasoned that he was needed.\u00a0 He knew that his youngest son had no willpower when it came to saying goodbye to the little boy.\u00a0 Ben walked over to the wagon and stood next to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cJoey—your pa has to take you home and I have to take my little boy home.\u201d\u00a0 Ben grinned over at Joe, who was now rolling his eyes at the comparison Ben had made.<\/p>\n \u201c–k–but bring Joe back–\u201d Joey frowned and jumped into his mother\u2019s arms.\u00a0 Kay smiled at Ben relieved that he had broken up the goodbye scene.<\/p>\n Ben reached over and patted the boy on the head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll bring him back to see you real soon.\u00a0 But, looks like you could use a nap right now–\u201d Ben paused and looked over at Joe and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks like my little boy could use one too!\u201d\u00a0 He laughed and was echoed by Hoss and Adam.\u00a0 The Cartwrights waved goodbye as the Patrick family pulled away.\u00a0 Joe turned toward his father and grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, Pa–you are right–I could use a nap!\u201d\u00a0 Joe laughed and Ben patted his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cThen that is what you are gonna have–that is–as soon as you get your chores done, Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stated sternly and walked back over to the buckboard.<\/p>\n Joe threw himself into his saddle and stared over at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you said Pa thinks I\u2019m cute?\u00a0 He didn\u2019t fall for my nap request.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you are losing your touch, Kid.\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied with a grin and turned his horse toward the ranch.<\/p>\n *************<\/p>\n A week later the Cartwrights sat in their living room relaxing after another one of Hop Sing\u2019s fine meals.\u00a0 Hoss sat by the fireplace enjoying a heated game of checkers with his younger brother, while Ben glanced over the latest newspaper and Adam was deep into a new novel.<\/p>\n A knock sounded on the front door and everyone looked over at Joe, expecting him to get up to answer it.<\/p>\n \u201cSince when am I the butler around here?\u201d\u00a0 Joe argued looking at the stares of his family.<\/p>\n \u201cRespect your elders.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sounded off annoyed at the interruption.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the trouble around here–everyone is my elder.\u201d\u00a0 Joe complained and moved to the door.\u00a0 Joe opened the door and saw Kevin Patrick.<\/p>\n \u201cKevin?\u00a0 What brings you out here so late?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked inviting him in.<\/p>\n \u201cI kinda had a favor to ask you, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Kevin replied and walked over to sit down next to Adam.\u00a0 Joe followed and stared over at the man wondering what he wanted.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything okay with Kay and Joey?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked folding his paper and setting it on the coffee table.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are fine.\u00a0 I kinda wanted to surprise Kay–it\u2019s our tenth anniversary tomorrow.\u00a0 I was hoping Joe would agree to watch Joey for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure!\u201d\u00a0 Joe was eager to spend some time with the boy.\u00a0 \u201cYou want me to come over there tomorrow night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not exactly what I\u2019m asking about, Joe.\u00a0 I would like to take Kay on a trip to San Francisco.\u00a0 We\u2019d be gone for two weeks, though.\u201d\u00a0 Kevin looked up to see how the men had taken his request.<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem!\u201d\u00a0 Joe was fast to answer.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d love to.\u201d\u00a0 Joe patted Kevin on the shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you know Kay–she\u2019s so dang protective of Joey–the only way I could ever get her to leave on this trip without him would be if you would watch him.\u00a0 You know we trust you with him, and he loves you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben watched the conversation and wondered if his youngest son knew exactly what he was getting himself into.\u00a0 Watching a toddler for a day was one thing, but two weeks would be a challenge, especially to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just tell Kay that Joey will be fine, just fine.\u00a0 You want me to go get him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo–we\u2019ll bring him over tomorrow around noon if it\u2019s okay with all of you?\u201d\u00a0 Kevin looked over at Ben and saw the concern on his face.\u00a0 \u201cIt is okay with you isn\u2019t it, Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook himself from his trance.\u00a0 \u201cOh–yes–yes of course.\u00a0 There\u2019s plenty of us here to watch the boy.\u00a0 You tell Kay we will be happy to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks–I really appreciate it!\u00a0 Now to go home and surprise her with it!\u201d\u00a0 Kevin smiled and stood.\u00a0 Joe walked him back to the door and said goodbye.\u00a0 Turning back around he noticed the faces of the other three men staring over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked his family.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph—are you sure you can handle Joey for two weeks?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked standing and approaching his son.<\/p>\n Joe laughed and gave a peculiar smile.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Pa!\u00a0 How hard is it to look after a four year old?\u00a0 He\u2019ll be no trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed knowingly and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIf you think you are up to it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I am!\u00a0 But, think I will turn in so I can get an early start getting things ready for him around here.\u00a0 Goodnight!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said exuberantly and hurriedly ran up the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has no clue.\u201d\u00a0 Adam muttered and stood up and neared Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we are all here for Joey, too.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, we are in agreement that this is Joe\u2019s responsibility, right?\u201d\u00a0 Adam gave the hint of wanting his little brother to get a good taste at what being a big brother was all about.<\/p>\n \u201cYes–it\u2019s Joe\u2019s responsibility.\u00a0 But, that doesn\u2019t mean we won\u2019t help him, right, Boys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure thing, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss called over to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u201d\u00a0 Ben raised his eyebrows in gesture.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to see Joe handle this one–but I\u2019ll help with Joey when he gets too much for him.\u00a0 That will probably be after the first day.\u201d\u00a0 Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cHave a little more faith in your brother.\u201d\u00a0 Ben stated firmly and saw Adam shrug his shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed and walked back over to his book.\u201d<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n By the time breakfast was over the next morning, Joe had already been up for hours trying to get his chores done early.\u00a0 He wanted to be able to devote himself totally to his Godson.\u00a0 Ben watched in amusement as his son started to get a little nervous as the Patrick\u2019s wagon appeared coming into the front yard.<\/p>\n Ben and Joe walked outside and before Joe could make it all the way to greet the visitors, Joey jumped down out of his mother\u2019s lap and ran straight over to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can play!\u00a0 I stay with you!\u201d\u00a0 The boy said excitedly and Joe reached down and pulled him up into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Joey.\u00a0 You get to stay with me a little while.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grinned and walked the boy over to his parents.\u00a0 \u201cNow you give your ma and pa a big kiss and tell them to have a good time.\u201d\u00a0 Joe handed the boy back up into the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cBe a good boy.\u201d\u00a0 Kay said kissing her son goodbye a bit misty eyed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll be back soon, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 His father said and kissed his son on the forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cBye!\u201d\u00a0 Joey called and jumped back down.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Joe–we have to play now!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook Kevin\u2019s hand and kissed Kay on the cheek.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll take good care of him.\u00a0 You both go and have a good time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Kevin nodded and put his arm around his wife.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get out of here before you start bawling.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled and handed Joe down Joey\u2019s suitcase. They turned the wagon as Ben waved goodbye.\u00a0 He then turned and watched as Joe threw the boy up in the air.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–time to play!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said, sounding as excited as the four-year-old.\u00a0 Ben carried the suitcase toward the house as he saw Joe take Joey over to the front porch.\u00a0 As he approached the two of them Ben smiled broadly when he noticed that Joe had already set up some cowboy and Indian figures on the table and was already showing Joey how they would play the game.\u00a0 Ben sighed.\u00a0 Had it been so long ago that he had played the same game with his curly headed youngest son?\u00a0 Now, there he was, a young man. ****yes, Joseph—you remember how, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 How many times did I sit out here with you and play cowboys and Indians?\u00a0 Never enough****Ben walked into the house with the angst that touches every parent when they realize their children were growing up far too fast.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n The first day of Joey\u2019s visit was a full one.\u00a0 Not only did Joe play relentlessly with the toddler, but Hoss had taken him off for a while, and even Adam had sat down to read to the little boy.\u00a0 Ben had done his share of watching Joey, too, and had even taken him into the kitchen for some cookie theft.\u00a0 It was all done under the amused eyes of Hop Sing, who had also missed having a youngster around.\u00a0 When the cook had caught a fleeting glimpse of the little blonde curly haired Joey sneaking away, he couldn\u2019t help but be reminded of Little Joe.\u00a0 When Joe was very small he also had blonde curly hair.\u00a0 The years had darkened the hair, but the curls had remained intact.\u00a0 Hop Sing laughed to himself when he thought of all the cookies that his Little Joe had pilfered over the years.\u00a0 It had always been a compliment to his own cooking ability and he enjoyed the enthusiasm in which all of the Cartwright boys had shown as they raided the kitchen in their youth.<\/p>\n \u201cTime for bed, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and lifted the boy from off of his lap.\u00a0 He had read Joey\u2019s favorite book, The Little Red Hen, so many times that he knew it by heart now.<\/p>\n \u201cNo–gain!\u201d\u00a0 Joey protested and tried to crawl back up.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, now you have to get to sleep.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said sternly and turned just in time to see Ben smirking at him.\u00a0 He knew what his father was thinking.\u00a0 It was very odd to hear himself saying the same things to Joey that Ben had said to him in his youth.\u00a0 \u201cUp to bed.\u201d\u00a0 Joe addressed the little boy again only to see him pout at the thought.\u00a0 \u201cNo, pouting either, Young Man—\u201d Joe stopped as he heard Ben laugh out loud now.\u00a0 Joe rolled his eyes at his father who was enjoying so much the inter-play and rebellion with Joey that was taking place.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Joseph?\u201d\u00a0 Ben called walking over toward the two of them.\u00a0 \u201cI think you need to go to bed—Joey–how about getting my boy to sleep for me?\u201d\u00a0 Ben grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cK—Joe–go night-night.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said staring into Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cGood idea!\u201d Joe grinned and winked back over at his father, showing his thanks for the help.\u00a0 He carried Joey up the stairs and into the spare room next to his own.<\/p>\n *****************<\/p>\n Joe helped get Joey cleaned up and then pulled his nightshirt over his head and lifted him up and put him on the bed.\u00a0 He pulled down the heavy comforter and slid the boy underneath.<\/p>\n \u201cYou sleep well, Buddy.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and kissed him on the forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cNo–talk to God now.\u201d\u00a0 Joey argued and Joe felt a bit embarrassed that he had forgotten all about nightly prayers.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry—almost forgot.\u00a0 Okay climb down, I\u2019ll kneel here with you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe helped the boy down and he leaned up against the bed and folded his hands in front of him and bowed his head.\u00a0 Joe followed suit.<\/p>\n \u201cGod bless Mommy and Daddy and the animals and my toys.\u00a0 Oh, and God bless Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe ruffled the boys head of curls and whispered, \u201cLet\u2019s throw in something for my family too, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGod bless Carwites—-and Hop Sing too.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said and then stood back up.<\/p>\n \u201cGood job!\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled and put Joey back into the bed.\u00a0 He walked over to the door and looked at the youngster.\u00a0 \u201cSee you in the morning.\u00a0 Love you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe called over and then walked out closing the door.\u00a0 Joe leaned against the doorframe outside, feeling a bit emotional.\u00a0 The first day was over and all was well.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe!\u201d\u00a0 Came the scream from behind the door.\u00a0 Joe bolted into the room and Joey was sitting up in the bed.\u00a0 He looked petrified.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Joey?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked sitting down on the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t like this room.\u201d\u00a0 Joey started to cry.\u00a0 Joe lifted his chin and looked into the boy\u2019s big blue eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you like this room?\u201d\u00a0 He asked worriedly.<\/p>\n \u201cToo big–too big for me.\u00a0 It cares me–\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean it scares you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe corrected.\u00a0 Joey had trouble saying words that started with the letter s.<\/p>\n \u201cCares me, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Joey cried.<\/p>\n Joe looked around the room and sighed.\u00a0 It was rather large for such a little boy.\u00a0 A little boy who had never been away from his folks overnight.\u00a0 Joe pulled him up into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, I tell you what.\u00a0 My room isn\u2019t near this big.\u00a0 How\u2019d you like to bunk with me?\u201d<\/p>\n Joey nodded his head and Joe carried him into his own room next door.\u00a0 When he put Joey on the bed, Joe surveyed the room.\u00a0 With his bed sitting away from any wall Joe worried about the boy falling off the bed in his sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cYou lay there.\u00a0 I gotta do some fixing up.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and pulled his chair from his desk over next to the bed on Joey\u2019s side.\u00a0 It still didn\u2019t seem right.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be right back–gotta go get one more chair.<\/p>\n Joe walked across the hall and pounded on Hoss\u2019 door.\u00a0 Hoss came out, dressed in his nightshirt rubbing his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want, Joe?\u00a0 I was asleep!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss protested.<\/p>\n \u201cI need your chair–bring it out here for me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy chair?\u00a0 Why?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss asked confused at being awakened for such an odd reason.<\/p>\n \u201cJust do it, okay?\u201d\u00a0 Joe sighed tiredly.\u00a0 Hoss walked over to his own desk and pulled the chair across the room and handed it to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cNow can I go back to sleep?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss yawned.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Big Brother–sorry I woke you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled and closed Hoss\u2019 door.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n Ben stood in Joe\u2019s doorway watching the young man arranging the chairs just right so that Joey would not be able to come out of that side of the bed.\u00a0 He tried to stifle his laughter as he watched.\u00a0 When Joe was finally done he caught a glimpse of his father staring over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cOh–hi–Pa.\u00a0 Um–Joey thought his room was too big so he\u2019ll bunk in here.\u201d\u00a0 Joe explained.<\/p>\n \u201cRather strange time of night to decide to rearrange furniture, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI–I was–\u201d Joe started to explain but then caught the grin on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you even think about talking to ME about being over-protective!\u00a0 You know who I learned it from!\u201d\u00a0 Joe laughed and Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Joey—goodnight—Pa<\/strong>.\u201d\u00a0 Ben said a bit of sarcasm coming out with a great deal of affection behind it.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n Joe was sleeping very soundly the next morning, content under the heavy quilt comforter and his head cradled by the goose feather pillow.\u00a0 Then he felt something at his right eyelid.\u00a0 Tiny fingers pulled on it looking for the eye that was sure to be underneath.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey?\u201d Joe muttered confused.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wake up, you wake up.\u201d The boy said happily.<\/p>\n \u201cUgh \u2013 let me sleep a while longer.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pulled the pillow on top of his head to shut out the light.\u00a0 At that moment Joey jumped on Joe\u2019s abdomen hard.<\/p>\n “Time to play!” Joey protested, unaware that he was knocking the wind out of his sleeping friend’s lungs.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey!\u00a0 I can\u2019t breathe—give me a minute!\u201d\u00a0 Joe sat up and peered into the wide-awake face of the little boy.\u00a0 It shook him from his complaints about lack of sleep to see the little boy\u2019s big smile on his face.\u00a0 \u201cOkay–we\u2019ll get up.\u201d\u00a0 Joe sighed and lifted Joey to the floor.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s get you cleaned up and into some clothes.\u201d\u00a0 Joe led Joey over to the wash basin and helped him to rinse his face off.\u00a0 Next he went to the little boy\u2019s suitcase and drew out some fresh clothes.\u00a0 He helped him on with his pants and shirt and then set him back on the bed to place the socks and shoes onto the wiggling feet.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon–stop moving.\u201d\u00a0 Joe complained and giggling was the response from Joey.\u00a0 \u201cAt this rate it will be supper time before we get downstairs!\u201d\u00a0 Joe finally got the shoes on the correct feet and tied the laces.\u00a0 Then he set about getting his own clothes on.\u00a0 Standing in front of his mirror Joe ran a brush through his own curly hair and stared down at Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cMe next!\u201d\u00a0 Joey pointed at the hairbrush. Joe kneeled down on the floor and ran the brush softly through the boy\u2019s blonde unruly hair.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–let\u2019s go eat before Hoss has it all gone.\u201d Joe smiled and lifted the boy into his arms.<\/p>\n All heads turned from the dining room table as Joe and Joey descended the stairs.\u00a0 They made their way over and saw that a chair had been rigged up with some books on it to bring the boy to table level.\u00a0 Joe placed the boy there next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cUp earlier than usual ain\u2019t you, Little Brother?\u201d Hoss teased and Joe shot him back an unamused look.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd how are you today, Joey?\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled at the little boy.<\/p>\n \u201cFine–want to play.\u201d\u00a0 Joey shot back and all of the Cartwrights laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst you eat, Joey.\u00a0 Then I\u2019m gonna take you out with me to check on the herd.\u201d\u00a0 Joe responded as he tucked the napkin under the boy\u2019s little chin.<\/p>\n \u201cWant coffee.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said pointing over to the coffee pot in front of Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cNow–Joey, you can\u2019t have coffee.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell–\u201d Joe stammered to think of a good reason.\u00a0 \u201cWell-it will stunt your growth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Adam jumped in on the conversation.\u00a0 \u201cSee Hoss and I didn\u2019t drink coffee when we were little but Joe did.\u00a0 That\u2019s why he is so much smaller than us.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shot Adam a sneer at the comparison.<\/p>\n \u201cThat true?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked looking back into Joe\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWell–no it isn\u2019t really true.\u201d\u00a0 Joe sighed not knowing what to say.<\/p>\n \u201cThen I get coffee!\u201d\u00a0 Joey was back to his original request.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s some milk for you, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Ben passed the glass down the table.\u00a0 \u201cYou want to be big and strong, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike Hoss?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYes–just like Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded and saw the boy take the glass.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss drink lots of milk–Joe you need to have this.\u201d\u00a0 Joey handed the glass to his friend and laughter filled the room.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s far too late for me now, Joey–I\u2019ll just have coffee thank you.\u201d\u00a0 Joe shot a glance around at the amused faces of his family and Ben passed down a cup of coffee to his youngest son.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n Joe rode Cochise carrying in front of him the four year old boy.\u00a0 They checked on the cattle and rode around for a while before coming back.\u00a0 When they arrived back home, Hoss and Adam were standing by the porch and both men walked over to Cochise.<\/p>\n \u201cHand him down here.\u201d\u00a0 Adam called up to Joe.\u00a0 Joe reluctantly handed the boy down into Adam\u2019s strong hands and then dismounted.<\/p>\n \u201cLook here, Joey!\u201d\u00a0 Hoss called over and the boy spotted the results of both Adam and Hoss\u2019 labor of the morning.\u00a0 They had fashioned a rocking horse with a saddle and a bridle.\u00a0 The boy excitedly mounted his new horse.\u00a0 Joe smiled and winked at both of his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cNow–don\u2019t you take him out too far, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe laughed and watched the boy rock back and forth exuberantly.\u00a0 Joe turned his attention back to Hoss and Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded and they patted him on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cWe figured it was just what you needed to keep him out of your way for a while.\u00a0 Now you can get on with your chores.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled as he pointed over to the woodpile.\u00a0 \u201cPa wants you to get that pile cut and hauled into the house.\u00a0 Joe sighed and walked over to get the axe.\u00a0 Now he had to get to his own special kind of play.<\/p>\n Ben walked out on the front porch almost an hour later.\u00a0 He could see Joe at work splitting the wood obviously unaware that Joey was missing.\u00a0 He walked over to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph—have you lost something?\u201d\u00a0 Ben raised his eyebrows.\u00a0 Joe looked up bewildered and then glanced around.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was just here a minute ago, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied and dropped the axe down.\u00a0 \u201cHow far could he get in such a short time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, one time I turned my back and found you half way up a mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh–great!\u201d\u00a0 Joe responded and started to search frantically around the yard, yelling for the boy.\u00a0 Ben watched as Joe seemed to increase his panic and then decided it was enough of a lesson for his son.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph–\u201d Ben walked toward the barn and grabbed Joe\u2019s arm turning him around.\u00a0 \u201cJoey is sound asleep on the sofa.\u00a0 Hop Sing found him laying over by the back door a little while ago and fixed him up a bed in the living room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGee, Pa!\u00a0 You trying to give me a heart attack or something?\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied with both anger and relief.<\/p>\n \u201cNo—but I am trying to make you aware that you can\u2019t let him out of your sight.\u00a0 He\u2019s just a little boy.\u00a0 And as we all know–they can get in a lot of trouble.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s remark struck home for Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry—I need to figure out how to do my chores and keep an eye on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you\u2019ve cut enough wood.\u00a0 We\u2019ll think of something.\u00a0 I have to go into town for a while.\u00a0 You go on in and see to Joey.\u00a0 Unfortunately, as I recall, naps don\u2019t last very long!\u201d\u00a0 Ben patted Joe on the shoulder and walked off.<\/p>\n ****************<\/p>\n After Joey had awakened from his nap, Joe sat by the fireplace with him and read him another one of the many story books he had brought with him.\u00a0 When Joey got bored of that he wanted to play again and walked over to Ben\u2019s desk.\u00a0 He pointed up at Ben\u2019s ledger and inkwell.<\/p>\n \u201cToys!\u201d\u00a0 He called excitedly.\u00a0 Joe walked over to him and led him away.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Joey, those are not toys.\u00a0 They belong to my father and you need to leave them alone.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell you what, you come over here and sit down by the fireplace and play with your cowboys and Indians and I will get you some cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cK–I play.\u201d\u00a0 Joey smiled and walked over to the coffee table and started to play with his own toys.<\/p>\n Joe talked with Hop Sing for a couple of minutes.\u00a0 The cook wanted to tell Joe he needed to watch over the little boy better than he had.\u00a0 He told Joe about finding Joey out on the porch asleep.\u00a0 Joe apologized and promised to keep a better eye on the little boy and then headed out to the living room with cookies and milk.<\/p>\n As Joe turned the corner coming in from the kitchen he noticed that Joey was no longer in the living room where he had left him.\u00a0 Joe set the milk and cookies on the table and hurried toward his father\u2019s desk.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t made it in time.\u00a0 Joey was up in the chair, the inkwell in his hand and the contents from it all over Ben\u2019s inventory book.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey!\u201d\u00a0 Joe screamed and neared the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cUh oh.\u00a0 Made mess.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said and then turned his big blue eyes on his angry Godfather.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I told you not to touch that!\u201d\u00a0 Joe said still upset.\u00a0 He ran to get a towel from the kitchen and started mopping up the mess.\u00a0 The first two pages of the book were ruined.\u00a0 And it was a brand new ledger book that Ben had just completed filling out that morning with numerous figures.\u00a0 Joe shook his head knowing how upset his father would be.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe mad at Joey?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked his lip quivering.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s heart melted and his anger faded away at the sight before him.\u00a0 \u201cNo–not mad.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t want you to disobey me.\u00a0 You have to listen to me from now on.\u00a0 If you promise that you will I won\u2019t punish you this time.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied pulling the youngster up into his arms and staring into the eyes once more.<\/p>\n \u201cPromise. I sorry.\u201d\u00a0 Joey nodded, glad to be off the hook.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–now you go back to those Indians and I will try to clean up this ink.\u201d Joe put the boy down and patted him on the back.\u00a0 The little boy happily went back to his toys.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Right before dinner time, Ben made it back to the ranch.\u00a0 He hung up his hat and looked across the room.\u00a0 Joe was sound asleep in the big blue chair by the fireplace with Joey curled up next to him.\u00a0 Ben smiled at the sight.\u00a0 As he approached Joey put his finger to his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cQuiet—Joe\u2019s night night now.\u201d\u00a0 Joey whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not quite time for night night.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied and shook Joe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 Joe opened his eyes and gave an embarrassed grin.<\/p>\n \u201cOh–guess I kinda dozed off.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and looked at both Joey and his father.<\/p>\n \u201cDinner will be ready soon.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you go and get Joey washed off?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa.\u00a0 C\u2019mon, Little Buddy.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and grabbed the boy’s hand and headed toward the stairs.<\/p>\n It was a little while later that both Adam and Hoss arrived home, and they made their way to the living room sofa to relax before dinner.\u00a0 As Joe and his charge made it to the top of the staircase a loud sound bellowed from Ben\u2019s study.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph!\u201d\u00a0 Ben yelled and Joe and Joey looked at each other.\u00a0 Joe knew what Ben would be saying next.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked innocently as he made his way down the stairs.\u00a0 Both Joe and Joey approached the desk.<\/p>\n Ben held up his blackened ledger book and looked at both of them.\u00a0 \u201cWho did this?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked the anger apparent in his tone.<\/p>\n Joe cast a look at Joey and then spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cI did, Pa. I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I knocked the ink over.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe lied in order to keep Joey and himself out of further trouble.\u00a0 He knew Ben would be upset that Joey had been playing around his desk and also mad that Joe had not kept a better watch on the little boy.<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked raising his eyebrows in gesture.\u00a0 \u201cThen I guess you were also the one who drew these pictures in this other one?\u201d\u00a0 Ben handed Joe the other ledger that had been alongside of the ink soaked one. There were pictures drawn inside the pages.<\/p>\n \u201cI did that.\u00a0 I draw good.\u201d\u00a0 Joey announced proudly.<\/p>\n Ben bent down and picked Joey up and sat him on the desk.\u00a0 \u201cWell, at least there is one honest Joe around here.\u00a0 Now, Young Man, I don\u2019t want you playing around my desk.\u00a0 Is that understood?\u201d\u00a0 Ben tried not to sound too commanding considering the boy\u2019s age.<\/p>\n \u201cYour toys?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked innocently and Ben grinned at the idea.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Joey.\u00a0 My toys.\u00a0 So, you will not touch them, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo–not touch your toys.\u00a0 I promise.\u201d\u00a0 Joey nodded and Ben sat him back down on the floor.\u00a0 Joey hurried over to Adam and Hoss and took a seat next to them on the sofa.\u00a0 Joe started to do the same but Ben caught his arm and stopped his progression.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for you, Joseph.\u00a0 You should have watched Joey better.\u201d\u00a0 Ben admonished him.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I would think twice before you lie in front of him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied knowing his father was right.<\/p>\n \u201cNow as for my \u201ctoys\u201d, you will sit here after dinner and rewrite the pages that were ruined.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa —I have to take care of Joey.\u00a0 You know–give him his bath and stuff.\u201d\u00a0 Joe tried to weasel his way out of the monotony of copying his father\u2019s figures down on the ledger.<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem, Joe!\u00a0 I\u2019ll give Joey his bath and Hoss will help.\u201d\u00a0 Adam called over, wanting to see Joe try and squirm out of redoing his father\u2019s work.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks a whole lot.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said flatly.<\/p>\n \u201cMy pleasure.\u201d\u00a0 Adam laughed as he saw Joe shake his head knowing he would be up half the night with his project.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, let\u2019s eat.\u201d\u00a0 Ben grinned and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder to let him know that he was forgiven for his errors of the day.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n Ben paused before going into his own bedroom that night and opened the door to Joe\u2019s room a crack to peer in on the sleeping duo.\u00a0 Joey head was nestled under Joe\u2019s chin and his arm wrapped around his neck.\u00a0 Ben shook his head and smiled.\u00a0 He reasoned that both of the two boys had learned a lesson or two that day.\u00a0 His own son had learned how hard it was to tend a toddler and Joey had learned not to play with other folk\u2019s toys.\u00a0 Ben closed the door quietly and walked into his room feeling a bit proud of his youngest son.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n The first week of Joey\u2019s stay passed by very quickly.\u00a0 He blended right into the normal activities at the ranch and with the four Cartwrights and Hop Sing to keep their eyes on him, he had avoided getting in too much trouble.\u00a0 When Saturday came Joe had taken with him a picnic basket and Joey down to the shore of Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 He wanted to spend some one on one time with the boy who was growing very close to his heart.<\/p>\n After Joe and Joey were done eating their lunch, Joe carefully walked the boy out to the rocks that spanned out into the lake.\u00a0 He carried with him a satchel with a surprise in it.<\/p>\n \u201cNow tell me!\u201d\u00a0 Joey called excitedly pointing at the hidden surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–now you sit there on that rock and don\u2019t move.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to have to dive into that cold water and fetch you out.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and set the boy down.\u00a0 Joe kneeled alongside of the bag and drew out two boats with sails.<\/p>\n \u201cBoats!\u00a0 Give me!\u201d Joey squealed happily. Joe sat down and showed him both of the hand carved boats that he had taken great pains to fix up for the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–look on this one it says your name–\u201d Joe began pointing at the sail.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey!\u201d\u00a0 The boy called out.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this one has my name.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pointed to the other one.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat that say?\u201d\u00a0 Joey looked confused at all of the letters on Joe\u2019s boat.<\/p>\n \u201cIt says \u201cGodfather\u201d,” Joe smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat that mean?\u00a0 You are Joe.\u201d The boy asked confused.<\/p>\n \u201cYes–I am Joe–and I am your Godfather too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Godfather mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell—it just means that I take care of you when your folks aren\u2019t around.\u00a0 You know kinda look after you?\u201d\u00a0 Joe tried his best to come up with a way to explain his cherished title.<\/p>\n \u201cYou God\u2019s father?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked even more confused.<\/p>\n Joe shook his head and now wished he had just written the name Joe on the sail.\u00a0 \u201cNo–just that God kinda brought me to you–and well–I\u2019m kinda like a father.\u00a0 Not like your real pa–just kinda.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLove you, Godfather.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said and hugged Joe\u2019s neck.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you too, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe closed his eyes feeling very emotionally attached to the little boy. \u201cHey–let\u2019s put them in the water.\u00a0 We will see if they work.\u201d Joe reached down and gave the two boats a push.\u00a0 His own boat took off but Joey\u2019s just sat in the water and didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t work.\u201d\u00a0 Joey frowned.\u00a0 Joe reached into the water and retrieved the little boy\u2019s boat.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess I have to work on it a little bit.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just watch mine right now, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cK.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said and cuddled closer to Joe.\u00a0 They watched as the boat went farther and farther out\u00a0into the lake until they could no longer see it from shore.<\/p>\n Joe and Joey sat there together for a long while.\u00a0 Joe thought back to all of the times he had sat on that very same rock in both good times and bad.\u00a0 He hoped Joey would remember this day as being a good time.\u00a0 Joe gathered up the boy\u2019s boat and carried Joey back to the shore.\u00a0 It seemed like the ending to a perfect day.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n After supper that night, Adam had arrived back from Virginia City and had hastily called his father out to the front porch to talk in private.\u00a0 He had some bad news, and he wanted Ben to hear it first.\u00a0 When the two men walked solemnly back into the house Adam called over to Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Little Buddy, I am gonna read you a couple of stories.\u201d\u00a0 Adam held out his hand for the little boy to take. Joe looked up slightly bewildered.\u00a0 He could see his father\u2019s worry creased face and wondered what Adam had been talking to him about.<\/p>\n \u201cC\u2019mon, Hoss, why don\u2019t you join us?\u201d\u00a0 Adam said and gave his brother a look which read that he wanted his father and Joe to be alone.<\/p>\n \u201cSure–I just love that story about the little red hen!\u201d Hoss laughed and walked with both Adam and Joey up the stairs.<\/p>\n Joe stood and approached his father.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph \u2013 lets you and I go out onto the porch,\u201d Ben answered and turned to walk outside before Joe could ask any further questions.\u00a0 Joe followed outside and walked over to the far side of the porch where Pa had stopped and sat down on the top step.\u00a0 Joe sat down next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, now what is it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put his hand on his son\u2019s shoulder and looked into his eyes.\u00a0 Joe witnessed the sadness that his father\u2019s brown eyes were reflecting long before he spoke.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, there has been an accident.\u00a0 Adam was in town when the word came.\u00a0 There was a fire–in the hotel where Kay and Kevin were staying–\u201d Ben was cut short by Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u00a0 Don\u2019t tell me this, Pa!\u201d\u00a0 Joe started to stand up to leave but Ben\u2019s strong hand caught him and forced him back down.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, Joseph, you need to be strong—for Joey\u2019s sake.\u00a0 His parents are dead.\u201d\u00a0 Ben fought to release the terrible news.<\/p>\n \u201cNo–Pa–it can\u2019t be!\u00a0 It just can\u2019t be!\u00a0 Are you sure?\u00a0 Maybe they got out in time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph they are dead.\u00a0 It has been confirmed by the doctor in San Francisco.\u00a0 I know this is hard on you–it\u2019s hard on us all.\u00a0 But you have to pull from deep inside of yourself for Joey\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe dropped his face down in his hands and wept.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t fathom the idea of his two friends being gone.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t bear the thought of them leaving Joey an orphan. Ben put his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder for comfort.<\/p>\n \u201cHow am I gonna tell him, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe sobbed.\u00a0 \u201cHow am I supposed to tell him his ma and pa are dead?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought back to the tragedies in his own life and remembered the times he had to tell his sons such awful news.\u00a0 \u201cIt will be hard, Joseph, but you have to do it.\u201d\u00a0 He whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cI can still remember—remember when you pulled me onto your lap when I was around Joey\u2019s age.\u00a0 You held me tight and told me my mother was dead.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never forget that moment.\u00a0 Now I have to tell that little guy that his ma and pa are both gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou made it through, Joe–so will Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied and Joe forced his gaze back on his father.<\/p>\n \u201cI made it through because I had you!\u00a0 But, if I hadn\u2019t had you I think I would have just died too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Joey has you, Son.\u00a0 He loves you so.\u00a0 Let him know that you are there for him.\u00a0 That\u2019s all you can do.\u00a0 But, you have to pull yourself together now.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe brushed back the tears from his eyes knowing that Ben was right.\u00a0 He had to be the strong one this time, no-one could do it for him.\u00a0 He slowly stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna go wash my face.\u00a0 Then I\u2019ll go and tell him.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stopped and reached down and squeezed his father\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI thank God every day that he didn\u2019t take you, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s voice trembled and he turned and walked into the house.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n After composing himself, Joe made his way up to his room. He paused in the doorway and watched as his two brothers played with Joey on the bed.\u00a0 Joe wondered if the boy would ever be as happy again once he was told the truth about his parents.\u00a0 He approached his brothers and Adam looked up and saw that his brother now knew what was going on.\u00a0 Adam ached at the thought of what his little brother would have to do.<\/p>\n \u201cHey–who\u2019s playing with my boy?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked and smiled at Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and Adam–we read story, we play.\u201d\u00a0 Joey smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cOh–yeah–these two are great with playing.\u00a0 I remember them playing with me when I was your age.\u201d\u00a0 Joe shot a glance at both of his brother\u2019s and they could tell that he was thanking them for what they had done for the boy. \u201cHow about you and I talk for a while?\u00a0 That okay?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked sitting down on the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cK.\u201d\u00a0 Joey nodded and Adam and Hoss stood back up.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Little Buddy.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled and patted the boy\u2019s head.<\/p>\n \u201cSleep tight.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss winked at Joey and then shot Joe a glance that he understood what would happen next.\u00a0 The two older brothers left the room and Joe pulled Joey up to the head of the bed, his head resting on Joe\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey–you have a good time today?\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered trying to get the words straight in his head.<\/p>\n \u201cYep–I had fun.\u00a0 I like it here, you all play with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe hugged Joey tighter and fought back his tears.\u00a0 \u201cJoey–your ma and pa–they take you to church all the time don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah–that\u2019s where God is.\u201d\u00a0 Joey nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yes–God is there–but God is really everywhere.\u00a0 Even right here and now he is looking at you and me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joey stood on the bed and looked up to the ceiling, a confused look creasing his young face.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t see him!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe pulled Joey back down.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t see him but he is still there–trust me.\u00a0 Now, do you know anything about angels?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAngels fly and they have halos and they are pretty and they help God.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou are so right, Joey.\u00a0 That is exactly what angels do–they help God.\u201d\u00a0 Joe bit at his bottom lip to continue.\u00a0 \u201cSometimes God needs new angels because heaven is a big place.\u00a0 So, when he needs new ones he looks to earth and tries to find the very best people for the job.\u00a0 They can\u2019t just be regular people–they have to be truly special people.\u00a0 Then, he calls them up to heaven and they are with him forever and ever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCan I be an angel, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomeday, but for right now you are needed to stay here and just be a little boy.\u00a0 But, Joey, God has decided on his next angels.\u00a0 And, he has chosen your ma and pa to join him in heaven.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stopped to see the little boy\u2019s face.\u00a0 At first it was a picture of confusion and then tears started to form in Joey\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cTell God bring them back.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said, his voice starting to tremble as he was starting to figure out his parents were gone for real.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey—God needs them right now–\u201d Joe was cut off.<\/p>\n \u201cI need them–Joe–please tell him send them back.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want be by myself. I cared!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe pulled Joey into a tight embrace and could feel the little boy\u2019s tears fall down onto his own neck. \u201cI know you are scared, Joey.\u00a0 But, you don\u2019t have to be.\u00a0 You will see both your ma and pa again sometime–I promise you.\u00a0 And right now, even though you can\u2019t see them they can see you.\u00a0 And they are smiling at you and waving to you.\u00a0 And you will never ever be by yourself, I promise you.\u00a0 I will always be with you.\u00a0 I told you that your parents made me your Godfather, well, they knew I loved you that\u2019s why they did it.\u00a0 So, I don\u2019t want you to ever worry about being alone, because that’s not going to happen.\u00a0 You understand?\u201d\u00a0 Joe pulled the boy back so he could see into his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou take care of me?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked his voice shaking.<\/p>\n \u201cAlways.\u201d\u00a0 Joe answered and pulled him back into his arms.\u00a0 Joey cried in Joe\u2019s arms until he fell asleep.\u00a0 Joe waited until the boy was asleep and then the tears finally came down his own cheeks.\u00a0 At that moment Ben appeared in the doorway and looked in at the scene.\u00a0 He had been standing outside the door throughout Joe\u2019s talk with the boy.\u00a0 His heart was full, as he heard how eloquently his youngest son had handled telling the boy the sad news.\u00a0 Ben peered around the doorway and Joe caught sight of him.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t have done better myself.\u201d\u00a0 Ben whispered and Joe\u2019s face lit up with the compliment as his father walked back out of the room.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n The next day was Sunday, and the Cartwrights got into their best suits to make their way to church.\u00a0 Joey rode in the carriage with both Ben and Joe and he seemed to be a bit withdrawn.\u00a0 They tried their best to point out interesting sights to the boy to help take his mind off the sad news of the previous day, but it was not working.<\/p>\n Before the service began, Joe left Joey in the hands of his family and went to the back of the church to talk to his long-time friend and minister, Reverend Hastings.\u00a0 After he filled the man in on all that had happened the tender-hearted pastor changed his prepared sermon to address the existence of angels.\u00a0 As he gave his sermon he could see Joey\u2019s eyes light up.\u00a0 The boy was thinking of his parents flying overhead so happy and so free of all the cares of the world.\u00a0 It seemed to be doing the trick, and by the time they had all sang the last hymn Joey\u2019s spirits seemed much better.<\/p>\n When they filed out of the church, the Reverend paused and bent down and picked the little boy up in his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cMy goodness, Joey!\u00a0 You are getting to be such a big boy!\u00a0 Looks like the Cartwrights are taking mighty good care of you.\u201d\u00a0 The preacher smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cMa and Pa are in heaven, so Joe is my Godfather and gonna take care of me.\u201d\u00a0 Joey announced happily.<\/p>\n Reverend Hastings kissed the boy on the forehead, happy to see his sermon had helped the boy some.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right, Joey.\u00a0 Your parents are both angels now so they will still be looking after you too!\u00a0 But, for right now, you couldn\u2019t ask for a better Godfather than Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe walked over and nodded to the preacher his thanks for all he had done.\u00a0 Then he reached over and Joey jumped into his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cGo play now!\u201d\u00a0 Joey said happily and saw Joe grin.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right, we are gonna go play now.\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned and shook Reverend Hastings hand.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled and the preacher nodded back to him.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n Sunday flew by, all the Cartwrights had filled it with as much fun as they could for the little boy.\u00a0 Hop Sing had cooked Joey his favorite meal and had helped get him cleaned up for bed.\u00a0 Joe sat up in the room with Joey until he had finally given in to exhaustion from all of the playing he had done and fell to sleep.<\/p>\n Joe made his way down to the living room where his family was gathered by the fireplace.<\/p>\n \u201cDid he finally go to sleep?\u201d\u00a0 Ben called over to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he was plum worn out.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said as he made his way over to the others.\u00a0 He stood there for a moment and tried to gather his thoughts.\u00a0 Joe had something very important to discuss with his family.<\/p>\n Ben caught sight of Joe\u2019s face and knew he was having trouble.\u00a0 \u201cSomething on your mind, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir.\u00a0 But I need the whole family to hear it.\u00a0 Just a second.\u201d\u00a0 Joe walked over to the kitchen and brought Hop Sing out with him.\u00a0 \u201cI have something to ask you all, since it doesn\u2019t just affect me you all need to hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing smiled at Joe, he had already guessed what his former charge was about to ask.\u00a0 He moved with Little Joe over next to the others.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to adopt Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe spat out quickly, trying to get up his nerve.\u00a0 He was worried how they would all take the idea.\u00a0 \u201cI know what you all are thinking right now.\u00a0 You still think of me as \u201cLittle Joe\u201d, but I am twenty-three years old now.\u00a0 I know what I am getting into here.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t take this lightly.\u00a0 I know this will mean a big change around here for all of us.\u00a0 But, it\u2019s something I really want to do–no–something I really need to do.\u00a0 I want to know what each of you think about it.\u00a0 Hop Sing?\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned to his dearest friend first.<\/p>\n Chinese sunrise appeared on the cook\u2019s face.\u00a0 For he was far more than a cook to them all, he was a real member of the family, and he knew it.\u00a0 He hugged Joe and then spoke, \u201cRaise one Little Joe–can help raise another Little Joe.\u201d\u00a0 He gave his blessings and Joe misted up a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–so far so good.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled and then looked over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss folded his arms across his chest and gave the appearance of being deep in thought.\u00a0 Then he broke into a toothful smile.\u00a0 \u201cHeck, I\u2019ll help you any way I can, Short Shanks.\u00a0 I reckon you can do as good a job as anyone else at raising that little boy.\u00a0 You have my full support.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head at Hoss\u2019 faith in him.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Brother.\u00a0 Adam?\u201d\u00a0 This was the one that Joe was most worried about of the two brothers.\u00a0 He held his breath waiting for Adam to reply.<\/p>\n Adam got up from off the sofa and stood to stare directly into Joe\u2019s hazel eyes.\u00a0 For the first time in his life, Adam did not see a kid standing in front of him.\u00a0 He saw a strong determined young man.\u00a0 \u201cYou just had to prove me wrong, didn\u2019t you?\u00a0 I was so sure that you would shirk your responsibility with Joey and go run off into town or something leaving us with the load around here!\u00a0 But, no, you stayed and you handled the boy better than even I could have.\u00a0 I think the kid would be very lucky to have you for a father, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe did something he rarely had; he reached over and hugged his oldest brother.\u00a0 His praise meant the world to him at the moment.\u00a0 Ben looked at Joe and Adam, and his heart felt very full at the sight of them.\u00a0 It seemed as though a little child had at last removed the wedge that had always existed between his youngest and oldest sons.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said releasing him from his embrace.\u00a0 Next, he looked over to his father.\u00a0 \u201cI waited until last to ask you, Pa.\u00a0 I know some of the things that you must be thinking.\u00a0 I know you are worried about me.\u00a0 No surprise in that–you always have been, I guess.\u00a0 But this time I promise you that I know what I am getting myself into and I welcome all the happiness and heartache that comes with being a father.\u201d<\/p>\n It was Ben\u2019s turn to stand.\u00a0 Instead of walking towards his son he turned his back on him and faced the fireplace.\u00a0 Joe stood there feeling both hurt and stunned, he had so hoped that he would have his father\u2019s support and approval.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered as he neared him.\u00a0 Ben turned and brushed back the tears that had left his eyes.\u00a0 He broke into a smile and hugged his youngest son.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I am so very proud of you.\u00a0 You know I will do everything I can to help you with Joey.\u00a0 Let\u2019s check with our attorney tomorrow and make sure there are no other relatives who could claim the boy.\u00a0 Then, we will go about\u00a0making him your son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered, choked up himself by his father\u2019s response.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m gonna go check on him–make sure he\u2019s okay.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled and walked to the staircase.\u00a0 He paused and turned back around to stare at the four people who had raised him.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 He said and hurried up the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s sure taken on a handful, hasn\u2019t he?\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed and sat back down.\u00a0 \u201cI was kinda worried there for a while about your reaction, Pa.\u00a0 You sure you are okay with this?<\/p>\n Ben sat down in his chair and looked over at both of his sons and found a grin taking over his face.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I am fine with Joseph\u2019s decision. And besides–the way things are going around here it just may be the ONLY way I will get a grandchild!\u201d\u00a0 Ben teased and his sons laughed at the thought.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n Joey ran to the front door and grabbed Joe by the legs.\u00a0 He looked up at him pathetically in one final attempt to stop him from leaving.<\/p>\n \u201cTake me!\u201d\u00a0 Joey insisted.<\/p>\n Joe kneeled down and stared into Joey\u2019s big blue eyes.\u00a0 \u201cNow I told you that Pa and I have to go into town.\u00a0 You are not going to be alone Hop Sing is gonna watch you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWanna go with you!\u201d Joey insisted once more.<\/p>\n It was at that moment that Hop Sing, who had heard the exchange of words, came around the corner from the dining room.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey–you help Hop Sing–we feed chickens now then we make cookies.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing said reaching for the boy\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cCookies?\u201d\u00a0 Joey said with a note of excitement in his tone.<\/p>\n \u201cMany cookies.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing smiled, glad to have saved the day.<\/p>\n \u201cK–Joe—I go help Hop Sing–\u201d Joey nodded.<\/p>\n Joe hugged the boy and stood back up and grinned over at the cook.\u00a0 Hop Sing surely had a way with children, Joe thought back to his own childhood and the many times Hop Sing had taken him in under his protective wings.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back soon, Joey, you be good now, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI be good.\u201d\u00a0 Joey smiled and walked away with the cook.<\/p>\n \u201cNow–if you are ready?\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed after watching the long goodbye between his son and the little boy.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am finally ready.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grinned over at his father and grabbed his hat.<\/p>\n *************<\/p>\n Randolf Hill opened the door to his office and beckoned the two Cartwright men inside.<\/p>\n \u201cBen–Joe–what can I do for you?\u201d\u00a0 He asked sitting back down behind his desk.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you probably know, both Kay and Kevin Patrick were killed in San Francisco the other day.\u00a0 They left their son, Joey, with Joseph to watch over.\u00a0 He is the boy\u2019s Godfather.\u201d\u00a0 Ben started and Randolf shot a look over at Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I heard the sad news.\u00a0 Roy went over to the Patrick ranch this morning to see if he could find some information on next of kin.\u00a0 But, what is it you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI want to adopt Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stated bluntly and waited to see the attorney\u2019s reaction.<\/p>\n \u201cI see–Joe, do you know how hard that might be?\u00a0 You are a single young man you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but with my family\u2019s help, I don\u2019t see anything that a judge would object to.\u00a0 Kay and Kevin left the boy with me, and he loves me.\u00a0 I love him even more and will do everything in my power to give him a good life.\u201d<\/p>\n Randolf stood and approached the front of his desk and looked down at the two expectant faces before him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure you would take care of the boy, Joe.\u00a0 But the court may want the boy to be placed with a married couple \u2013and not raised by a single man.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned to look at his father and a peculiar smile filtered down onto his lips.\u00a0 \u201cWell, now Pa raised me without the help of a woman.\u00a0 And I must say I came out pretty good!\u201d<\/p>\n Both Ben and Randolf laughed at the way Joe had come out with his comparison with typical humility.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s subject to opinion.\u201d\u00a0 Randolf winked at Ben and sat back down.\u00a0 \u201cSeriously, I would have no objection to representing you, Joe.\u00a0 I do think you are well based, and a good man.\u00a0 Maybe a bit wild in your \u201cyounger days\u201d, but a solid citizen now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you will push this through?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked hoping the procedure would not be long and drawn out.<\/p>\n \u201cI will start the paperwork, but remember there just may be a relative somewhere.\u00a0 Let\u2019s check into that first.\u00a0 If no-one comes forward I will file the request with the court.\u201d\u00a0 Randolf nodded and jotted down a couple of notes as he spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you–thank you very much.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said standing and he reached to shake the attorney\u2019s hand, as did Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be in touch soon.\u201d\u00a0 Randolf nodded as the two Cartwrights turned to walk out of the office.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Joe and his father walked out onto the sidewalk and he stopped abruptly.<\/p>\n \u201cReady to go home?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked noting the peculiar look on his son\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cUm–I\u2019d like to go over to the mercantile for a minute before we go back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor what?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked confused, he figured that Joe would want to get right back to Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to get a little something for Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled sheepishly.<\/p>\n Ben threw his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder and stared into the hazel eyes. \u201cNow you aren\u2019t planning on spoiling the boy, are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo–just want to check and see if there\u2019s something he needs, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d Ben laughed and turned and walked with his son down to the store.<\/p>\n Once inside, Ben watched as Joe looked at many items, mainly toys for his Godson.\u00a0 Every now and then Joe would look up and hold a toy in his hand and point at it for his father\u2019s approval.\u00a0 Ben simply shook his head knowing it was not going to be easy to stop the shopping spree his son had planned for the little boy.\u00a0 When Joe had paid his bill, Ben lingered a moment before joining Joe outside of the store.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Joseph, show me what you have.\u201d\u00a0 Ben grinned as Joe exuberantly opened his bag to reveal a stuffed bear, candy, and a new shirt. Ben laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you do plan on spoiling him anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah–well–what have you got there, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked suspiciously, looking at the bag Ben now held in his own hand.\u00a0 Ben paused a minute as a flush of guilt took over his face.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a couple of things.\u201d\u00a0 Ben commented and Joe reached for the bag.\u00a0 He opened it to discover several toys and a cowboy hat.<\/p>\n \u201cAh ha!\u00a0 Now, what were you saying to me, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 Joe chuckled at the presents that his father had bought for the little boy.<\/p>\n \u201cThink it will fit?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked holding up the little hat.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa–I think it will fit!\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied with a big grin taking over his face.\u00a0 He wrapped his arm around his father as they walked back to the buckboard.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n Once back at the ranch house both men were greeted at the door by both Hop Sing and Joey holding a plate full of cookies.\u00a0 Joe swept up the boy in his arms and grabbed a cookie and handed the plate to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are the best cookies I have ever had!\u201d Joe said munching on one and winking over at Hop Sing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe play in kitchen!\u201d\u00a0 Joey called over to Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cYou play well, Joey–these are mighty fine cookies!\u201d\u00a0 Ben replied and then patted the cook\u2019s shoulder, who smiled in response to the compliment.<\/p>\n Joe took Joey over to the couch and sat down. He opened up the bag and handed Joey\u2019s gifts to him and the little boy\u2019s eyes grew bigger and bigger with each surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks!\u201d\u00a0 Joey smiled up at Joe and then Ben joined them and handed Joey his bag.\u00a0 The boy looked like it was Christmas morning as he pulled out each item. When he got to the hat he put it on his head and it sank down over his ears.\u00a0 Both Ben and Joe laughed at the sight.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll grow into it,” Ben nodded and tried to straighten it up some.<\/p>\n \u201cPresents–I like presents!\u201d\u00a0 Joey said loudly.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–that\u2019s for being a good boy.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded and Joey hugged him and then walked over to Ben and hugged him as well.\u00a0 Ben closed his eyes and it was almost like remembering back to his own boys when they were little. It made his heart swell with joy feeling the little arms around his neck.<\/p>\n \u201cHate to break this up–\u201d Came Adam\u2019s voice from the dining room.\u00a0 \u201cBut, Joe, we need your help with the new horses.\u00a0 Think you can break away for a couple of hours?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked over to his father wondering what he would do about Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph–you go on with Adam.\u00a0 I will watch Joey for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou sure?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked standing up, an apprehensive look to his face.<\/p>\n \u201cYes–now get to work. Joey and I are gonna play.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and lifted the little boy up and walked towards his desk.\u00a0 Ben showed all the signs of being a very contented grandfather.\u00a0 Joe turned and walked away, following Adam outside.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n It was more than four hours later that a very dusty Joe walked back into the ranch house.\u00a0 He had done more than his share of bronc busting and it showed in his slower motions.\u00a0 His two older brothers, having pity on their younger brother, had offered to stable his horse as well as their own.\u00a0 Joe turned toward the fireplace and saw his father sprawled out on the floor face up.\u00a0 Panic taking over his face, Joe ran to his aid.<\/p>\n \u201cPa!\u201d\u00a0 Joe cried out and kneeled alongside the fallen patriarch.<\/p>\n Ben opened one eye and whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m dead–go away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked totally confused.\u00a0 It was at that moment that Joey came out from behind the chair and blew across his pointer finger.<\/p>\n \u201cI shot him!\u201d\u00a0 Joey smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat!\u201d\u00a0 Joe exploded and suddenly became aware of what was going on.\u00a0 It had been a game, and obviously Joey had won.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can get up–you not dead.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said kneeling alongside of Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay–but you almost got me that time!\u201d\u00a0 Ben laughed and sat up.\u00a0 \u201cHelp me up.\u201d\u00a0 Ben held his hand and Joey pulled.\u00a0 Ben pretended that Joey\u2019s strength had yanked him off of the floor.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and patted the little boy\u2019s head.\u00a0 It was then that Ben spotted all three of his sons staring his way.\u00a0 \u201cSomething wrong?\u201d\u00a0 He asked.<\/p>\n \u201cNo–nothing.\u201d\u00a0 Adam and Hoss said in unison amused at seeing their father playing as he had in their youth.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t shoot my pa.\u201d\u00a0 Joe pretended to be ill with Joey.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAt least not before supper, okay?\u201d\u00a0 Joe laughed and Joey smiled up at him.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s eat.\u201d\u00a0 Ben called over to them all and walked toward the dining room.\u00a0 The afternoon of playing with Joey had increased his appetite.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n The next day Joe had called Adam over to Ben\u2019s desk and his older brother wondered what was going on.\u00a0 Joe had acted a bit secretive that morning as Hoss had taken Joey out on a ride.\u00a0 Ben had gone out to check on some supplies, so it was just the two of them now all alone.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, Joe, what do you want?\u201d\u00a0 Adam questioned and sat down next to Joe who was sitting in his father\u2019s chair at the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been thinking.\u00a0 You helped draw up the plans for this place–what would you think about looking them over and seeing if we could make a doorway between my room and the room next door?\u00a0 I know I have to get Joey into his own room soon, and I figured it would be a whole lot easier if I had a door that would open into his room.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed heartily at the protective side of his baby brother.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, there already is a door going out into the hall, isn\u2019t that enough?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head adamantly.\u00a0 \u201cNo–I want to be able to hear him if he wakes up.\u00a0 I want him to be able to just walk in if he needs me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you think you should ask our father before you start knocking holes in the walls?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you show Pa how it could be done, he will take it a whole lot better.\u00a0 Show him where the support beams are and maybe he won\u2019t frown on it.\u00a0 You know how he feels about your talents!\u201d\u00a0 Joe winked at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cYou trying to sucker me, Joe?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n \u201cNaw–but I could use you on my side with this one.\u00a0 How about it?\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s green eyes burned into his brother\u2019s deep mahogany ones.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go find the plans.\u00a0 But, you, my dear brother, are gonna be the one who brings it up.\u00a0 I will back you if need be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks!\u201d\u00a0 Joe jumped to his feet excited by the support.\u00a0 \u201cBetween you and me and Joey\u2019s big blue eyes, Pa doesn\u2019t stand a chance!\u201d<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n That evening before either Joe or Adam had the chance to approach Ben with the reconstruction idea, a knock sounded on the front door.\u00a0 Hop Sing opened the door and Randolf Hill entered.\u00a0 His face looked grim and the Cartwrights all worried as to the reason for his late-night visit.<\/p>\n \u201cCome and sit down.\u201d\u00a0 Ben called over to their attorney, and he walked over to the settee and sat next to Hoss.\u00a0 Joe was on the bottom step of the staircase, having just succeeded in getting Joey to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked making his way over to the rest of the family.<\/p>\n \u201cI got a telegraph today.\u00a0 It\u2019s from Kay Patrick\u2019s sister.\u201d\u00a0 Randolf handed it to Ben who read it quickly and then handed it to Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s coming right out.\u00a0 Should be here in just a couple of days.\u201d\u00a0 Randolf stated bleakly.<\/p>\n Joe read the telegraph several times before speaking.\u00a0 \u201cCan she do this?\u00a0 Can she just come and take Joey?\u201d\u00a0 He asked, worry bleeding out in his questions.<\/p>\n Randolf nodded.\u00a0 \u201cShe is the only living relative on either side.\u00a0 Kevin had no other relatives neither did Kay.\u00a0 I am afraid she can, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo–she can\u2019t!\u00a0 Joey\u2019s mine!\u201d\u00a0 Joe shouted and Ben walked over to quiet him down.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, legally she is the next of kin.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid there is nothing we can do if she decides to take Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Ben put his arm around his son\u2019s shoulder for comfort, but Joe instantly pushed it away.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u00a0 I will tell her–he needs me!\u00a0 He wants to live here!\u201d\u00a0 Joe yelled and walked out of the house slamming the door in his wake.<\/p>\n \u201cI was afraid of this, Ben.\u201d\u00a0 Randolf sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI know how attached he has grown to the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe all are.\u00a0 But especially Joseph.\u00a0 Do you think Kay\u2019s sister could be persuaded to let us keep the boy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot according to that telegraph.\u00a0 She wants him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa–I\u2019m going out to talk to Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss stated and walked out of the house without waiting for his father\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n Hoss met his little brother on the end of the porch.\u00a0 He was sitting with his head cradled in his arms. Hoss sat down next to him and threw his arm around Joe\u2019s slender shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be okay, Joe.\u00a0 Let\u2019s wait and see what happens before we panic.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss crooned soothingly.<\/p>\n \u201cHoss–I love that little guy.\u00a0 He trusts me–he needs me!\u00a0 None of you understand what he means to me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered as tears left his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are wrong there, Little Brother, we\u2019d have to be blind and stupid not to see the love that is there.\u00a0 Joey loves you more than anything.\u00a0 You got to try to be strong.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStrong?\u00a0 That little boy has gone through hell, and now that he is finally starting to come back from it someone wants to take all of us away from him!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what Pa always says, let the troubles of the day take care of themselves.\u00a0 He is still here, and he still loves you. Don\u2019t forget that.\u00a0 And don\u2019t let Joey know how bad you are hurting right now.\u00a0 It would be so much harder on the little guy to see you sad.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked into his brother\u2019s compassionate eyes and replied, his chin quivering, \u201cHoss, I am not a good actor, you know that.\u00a0 How am I supposed to pretend that my heart is not breaking?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight now I consider you that boy\u2019s pa–think about it.\u00a0 How many times has our own father\u2019s heart been broken?\u00a0 Think about how he always hung on for us.\u00a0 Let that strength get you through this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll try.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded and wiped away his tears.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019ll go for a walk.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stood and walked out into the darkness.\u00a0 Hoss watched as the slender form faded into the blackness.\u00a0 His heart ached for what he knew Joe was going through.<\/p>\n *************<\/p>\n The next week Joe found the strength and the courage to pretend that nothing had happened.\u00a0 He spent long days with Joey.\u00a0 Ben had decided to free Joe from his routine chores to allow him the time he needed to be with the boy.\u00a0 Joe and Joey did everything together.\u00a0 They played games, they ran races, they rode on Joe\u2019s horse every day.\u00a0 Joe felt as though he was trying to give the boy a lifetime worth of memories in a short period of time.\u00a0 Inwardly, Joe decided to do everything in his power to try and convince Kay\u2019s sister that the boy would be best left with the Cartwrights.\u00a0 He went over things daily in his mind; every strategy he could think of to prove his case.\u00a0 Joe believed in his heart he could change the woman\u2019s mind once she finally arrived.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Ben was in Virginia City to greet the noon stage.\u00a0 He hurried to the stagecoach as it pulled up to its stop in front of the ticket booth.\u00a0 Watching as people began to depart, Ben wondered how he would feel once the lady was in full view.\u00a0 The last passenger out was Karen Chase, Kay\u2019s sister.<\/p>\n \u201cMrs. Chase?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked as he reached for her hand.\u00a0 He really didn\u2019t have to ask the question as Karen seemed to be a mirrored image of Kay.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright?\u201d\u00a0 She asked as she looked into the dark brown eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am, Ben Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded and helped her down.\u00a0 He then signaled for her bags, and the driver handed them over to him.\u00a0 \u201cI trust your journey was pleasant?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Karen nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u00a0 And please call me Karen.\u00a0 Where is Joey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s back at our ranch.\u00a0 I had hoped we could talk a little on the way to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Catch up on things?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes he know I am coming?\u201d\u00a0 Karen asked as they made their way over to Ben\u2019s wagon.<\/p>\n Ben tossed the luggage into the buckboard and helped the woman up into the seat.\u00a0 \u201cWe did tell the boy that his aunt was coming for a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have heard about you and also your sons.\u00a0 Kay wrote me often.\u00a0 I only got to see Joey once when he was first born.\u00a0 I so much want to see him.\u201d\u00a0 Karen misted up as she thought about her sister.\u00a0 \u201cI hurt so deeply over the loss of both my sister and brother -in- law, it\u2019s only the fact that Joey will be with me that helps me to see some light at the end of the tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sent the team of horses forward and thought on all that the woman had already said.\u00a0 He waited until they were on Ponderosa land before he began his plea.<\/p>\n \u201cKaren, you know that my son, Joseph, is Joey\u2019s Godfather don\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Ben started.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ben.\u00a0 I also know that your son brought Joey into the world.\u00a0 I know that both my sister and brother- in- law thought the world of Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph was very fond of them as well.\u00a0 Honestly, Joseph loves Joey as if he were his own son.\u00a0 And the boy looks to him as a father now.\u00a0 Is there any chance that you would agree to let Joe raise Joey? \u201c<\/p>\n Karen reached over and touched Ben\u2019s arm gently.\u00a0 \u201cI understand, Ben.\u00a0 And if I could I would.\u00a0 But I need Joey.\u00a0 My sister always told me that if anything happened to her, she wanted me to raise the boy.\u00a0 I promised her and I have to keep that promise.\u00a0 I have a wonderful husband and a five-year-old who can\u2019t wait to have a brother.\u00a0 You see Joey will not be considered my nephew; he will be treated like a son.\u00a0 I am so sorry if this will hurt your son.\u00a0 I will be eternally grateful for all he has done for the boy.\u00a0 But Joey needs to come home with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed deeply.\u00a0 He could not blame the woman for her determination to take Joey back to live with her, and yet, he knew the horrible damage that it would cause Joseph.\u00a0\u00a0 He could tell by Karen\u2019s actions, her eyes, and her voice that she was not just sincere, but also deeply earnest in all that she had said.\u00a0 Ben sent the horses into a faster pace; he knew what would happen next.<\/p>\n *************<\/p>\n Hoss met his father and his passenger in the front yard. He helped with Karen\u2019s luggage and tried his best not to stare at the woman.\u00a0 He did notice right off how much she favored her sister and it made Hoss\u2019 animosity toward her lessen.<\/p>\n \u201cNice to meet you, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 Karen smiled and Hoss nodded toward her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Joey?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked looking toward the house.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey got in a heap of mud a little while ago, Joe is upstairs getting him cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe will surely like playing with my son, Alex, he too has a fondness towards making mud pies.\u201d\u00a0 Karen remarked as Ben led her into the house followed by Hoss.<\/p>\n Ben showed Karen to the sofa and called for Hop Sing to bring out some tea for the visitor.\u00a0 A few moments later, Joe appeared on the top stair holding Joey in his arms.\u00a0 Joe drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 He so badly wanted to just head back up into his room with the boy, but he knew he had been seen.\u00a0 Slowly Joe made his way to the bottom landing and set Joey down.\u00a0 The little boy stared over at the woman who was looking his way.\u00a0 With a burst of energy Joey sprinted over to Karen.<\/p>\n \u201cMomma!\u201d\u00a0 Joey cried and fell into her outstretched arms.\u00a0 Ben and Joe exchanged hurtful glances at the sight before them.\u00a0 Joey had no idea that his aunt looked so much like his deceased mother.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey, I am your mother\u2019s sister, Karen.\u00a0 We were only one year apart in age, but we did almost look like twins.\u201d\u00a0 Karen explained as she brushed the hair from the boy\u2019s forehead and planted a kiss there.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s twins?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked looking up into the woman\u2019s calm face.<\/p>\n \u201cTwins–well they are two babies that are born at the same time that look like each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike kittens?\u00a0 Baby kittens look the same.\u201d\u00a0 Joey replied.<\/p>\n \u201cWell— maybe a little bit like kittens, I guess.\u00a0 I am so happy to see you, Joey.\u00a0 The last time I saw you, you were only a baby.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI got borned on a road, Joe is my Godfather and he brung me.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said enthusiastically and then reached back for Joe\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n \u201cVery nice to meet you, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Karen held out her hand.\u00a0 Joe closed his eyes for a minute fighting back the anger he harbored toward the woman who wanted to take Joey away.\u00a0 Finally, for Joey’s sake, he shook her hand and then sat down across from his father.\u00a0 Hop Sing brought out the tea for Karen and Joey sat down next to her on the sofa.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand you have done a whole lot of things while you were here, Joey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe play, we ride horses, we sailed boats.\u00a0 Only my boat wouldn\u2019t sail, but Joe\u2019s boat sailed way way far out until we couldn\u2019t see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood abruptly and left the house, he could no longer fight back his tears.\u00a0 It had been like watching the boat sail away again, only this time that boat was Joey.\u00a0 He knew this was the first day toward the long grueling process of fighting Karen for the little boy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere Joe go?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cOh–he had some things he had to do in the barn.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you sit there and talk to your Aunt Karen, then maybe you can show her your toys?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou like to play?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked Karen and she smiled warmly and hugged the little boy.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I love to play. And I have a son who is just a year older than you, he loves to play as well.\u00a0 He is your cousin Alex.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCousin?\u201d\u00a0 Joey asked confused by the word.<\/p>\n \u201cI am your aunt so since he is my son, he is your cousin.\u201d\u00a0 She tried to explain.<\/p>\n \u201cMy ma died.\u201d\u00a0 Joey turned suddenly sad.\u00a0 \u201cI was her son, and my pa\u2019s son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you are sad, Joey.\u00a0 I am sad too.\u00a0 You think maybe we could be sad together?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cK–then we can play.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said and rested his head on his aunt\u2019s shoulder as she pulled him into her lap.<\/p>\n Ben walked into the kitchen leaving Karen alone with Joey.\u00a0 He could already see the bond between the two of them starting to form.\u00a0 As happy as he was for Joey, his heart ached thinking about the little boy leaving them all and the effect that it would have on Joseph.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n It took a great deal of persuasion on Ben\u2019s part to get his youngest son to join the family at the dinner table that evening.\u00a0 Joe reluctantly gave in but insisted on being seated next to Joey.\u00a0 Karen sat on the other side of the boy as they ate their meal.\u00a0 The conversation was full of interesting facts about Karen\u2019s hometown in Maryland.\u00a0 She told them all how it was the place of both her and her sister\u2019s birth.\u00a0 Kay had married and headed out west, while she had married her childhood sweetheart and remained.\u00a0 She talked about the dairy farm they had, and also of her husband\u2019s job with the local newspaper.\u00a0 All the information seemed geared toward letting the Cartwrights know how well Joey would be taken care of, but Joe didn\u2019t see it that way.\u00a0 With each word, Joe felt the knife to his heart twist in deeper till he was almost unable to breathe.<\/p>\n \u201cTime for your bath, Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said and stood from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll give him his bath.\u201d\u00a0 Joe insisted but Karen jumped in.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, Joe, I was hoping to speak with you. \u201c<\/p>\n Joe looked over at Adam and nodded as his brother reached out his hand for Joey to take.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll get him all cleaned up, and then Joe is gonna read you some of the new stories he bought you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam said nodding over to Joe that he understood how hard this was on him.<\/p>\n Once Adam left the table, an awkward silence permeated the air.\u00a0 Karen could read Joe\u2019s face and knew he was both hurt and mad over her being there.<\/p>\n \u201cCan we talk now?\u201d\u00a0 She finally had the courage to ask.<\/p>\n \u201cOutside.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied flatly and stood from the table.\u00a0 Karen met Joe at the door, and he opened it and they both stepped out to the front porch.<\/p>\n *************<\/p>\n \u201cJoe–\u201d Karen started and reached for his arm tenderly.\u00a0 \u201cI know how hard this is on you.\u00a0 I can see how much you love Joey and how much he loves you as well.\u00a0 But, Kay made me promise that if anything were ever to happen to her and Kevin that I would raise the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah–well–they left the boy with me.\u00a0 They knew I would take care of him.\u00a0 They named that boy after me and made me his Godfather.\u00a0 So, I guess they wanted me to have some say so in his life too!\u201d\u00a0 Joe retorted full of anger.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have done exactly as they would have wanted. You and your entire family have done more than we all could have hoped for.\u00a0 I am not detracting from that, Joe.\u00a0 But, Joey belongs in a family.\u00a0 He will have a father in my husband Mark, and a brother in my son Alex.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what am I to the boy?\u00a0 You don\u2019t think he has looked to me as a father?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know he has.\u00a0 But he needs a complete family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I see!\u00a0 Because I’m not married, I can\u2019t give him a complete family?\u00a0 Well, I\u2019ll tell you what—give me a day or two and I will go into town and find an old girlfriend and get hitched.\u00a0 Then–then will I be able to keep Joey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to let him go, Joe.\u00a0 I know that sounds easy to say, I know it\u2019s not.\u00a0 Do you have any idea how I am hurting over the loss of my only sister?\u00a0 She was my only living relative too!\u00a0 Just her–and now Joey.\u00a0 I need him too.\u00a0 He is my last connection to my sister.\u00a0 I am asking you\u2014no, I am begging you not to fight me on this.\u00a0 Neither of us wants to hurt Joey, and if you fight that\u2019s exactly what will happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked down at the porch, trying to stay the pain he was feeling.\u00a0 When he looked back up he could see tears leaving Karen\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want from me?\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cI want you to give me some time alone with Joey to get him use to me.\u00a0 We will be leaving in a few days, and he needs to feel comfortable with me before we go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, what do you want?\u00a0 Want me to just ride out now?\u00a0 Want me to turn my back on the one person who has become my whole life? Is that what you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just want a little time, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 Will you do that for me, Joe?\u00a0 More importantly, will you do that for Joey?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead, you read to him.\u00a0 You tuck him in.\u00a0 Hell, put him in your room from now on!\u00a0 Anything you feel you need.\u00a0 While you are at it you can explain to him why I will never see him again once you take him away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, that\u2019s just not true.\u00a0 I want you to come and see him. I will write you all the time, and once he is older he can write.\u00a0 And I will bring him out here sometime too.\u00a0 It\u2019s not the end of your relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the end of me being his father.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied and walked away.<\/p>\n ************<\/p>\n Ben sat next to the fireplace deep in thought.\u00a0 It had been two hours since Adam had turned Joey over to Karen to tuck in bed and Joe was still nowhere in sight.\u00a0 He imagined what the conversation outside had been about.\u00a0 Ben knew his son so well; he knew the young man had pleaded to keep Joey.\u00a0 He could also sense the determination of Joey\u2019s aunt and knew that Joe\u2019s pleas had fallen on deaf ears.<\/p>\n Ben stepped out onto the front porch just as Adam came out of the barn.\u00a0 Adam strode across the front yard, and he wore a very tired expression on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you seen Joe?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked as Adam climbed up the porch steps.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s gone back to his normal hiding place, and he was very perturbed at me for trying to talk him down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe hayloft?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked but already knew the answer.\u00a0 Adam just nodded, patted his father on the shoulder and walked into the house.<\/p>\n *************<\/p>\n Lighting the lantern and nearing the ladder which led up to the hayloft, Ben stopped to recall all the times in his son\u2019s twenty-three years of life that he had done this very thing; comforted Joseph in times of despair.\u00a0 Ben slowly reached the top rung and pulled himself to standing.\u00a0 Bringing with him the light, Ben made his way over to Joe and sat down next to him on the floor.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t speak; he simply put his arm around his son\u2019s shoulder and waited.<\/p>\n \u201cYou go on to bed, Pa.\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing you can do.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I recall those are the same words you said to me the last time you were up here.\u00a0 You know from past experience that I will not leave.\u00a0 I think you have been climbing up here since you were Joey\u2019s age.\u00a0 Back then I simply carried you down and into the house.\u00a0 Unfortunately, you are too big, and I am far too old to do that now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, I don\u2019t ever want to come down anyway.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to go into that house; I don\u2019t want to see that woman.\u00a0 I want to sit up here and pretend that all of this isn\u2019t happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did she say?\u201d\u00a0 Ben asked softly.<\/p>\n Joe forced his gaze on his father and his anger flashed in his green eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYou know what she wants me to do, Pa?\u00a0 She wants me to give her some time alone with Joey!\u00a0 She wants me to allow the two of them to bond in some way before she snatches him from me forever!\u00a0 She is heartless.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought for a few moments and then responded, \u201cJoseph, you wouldn\u2019t want her to just jump on a stage tomorrow and drag Joey away when he\u2019s not ready would you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll never be ready!\u201d\u00a0 Joe argued.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd neither will you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe dropped his head down and realized Ben\u2019s point in his statement.\u00a0 Joe knew he was just as worried about his loss as he was Joey\u2019s loss.\u00a0 \u201cPa–you don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 Ever since the first day I held that little boy he has been a part of me.\u00a0 Probably the best part of me.\u00a0 I helped give him life–and he brought back my life to me.\u00a0 I felt God was showing me something that I hadn\u2019t seen before, maybe a purpose or something I don\u2019t know. \u201c<\/p>\n \u201cI know, Son.\u201d\u00a0 Ben whispered and remembered back to the time of Joey\u2019s birth and how it had pulled his own son up from the depths of despair.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t know what letting him leave will do to me!\u00a0 You don\u2019t know how hard it is to say goodbye!\u201d\u00a0 Joe insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are wrong there, Joseph.\u00a0 I know the feeling very well.\u00a0 I remember when Adam left for college, part of me went with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, he came back, Pa!\u00a0 It\u2019s not the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell—I also remember taking one of my sons to a hospital in San Francisco once and leaving him there never knowing if I would ever see him again.\u00a0 I remember saying goodbye to him that day broke my heart.\u201d\u00a0 Ben turned Joe\u2019s face to see the intensity in his eyes.<\/p>\n Joe understood what Ben was referring to.\u00a0 He had been the son who had been forcefully committed to that hospital suffering from severe addiction to morphine.\u00a0 At that time no-one knew if he would recover, and Ben had been ordered to leave his son and return to Nevada.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry for that now, Pa.\u00a0 I know what I have put you through over the years.\u00a0 If I made you hurt to any degree like I hurt right now, I feel awful about it.\u00a0 But I did come back to you.\u00a0 Joey will be out of my life forever.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and tears started to fall from his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, he will never be out of your life, not ever.\u00a0 You will always be a part of him and he will be a part of you.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure they will let him see you.\u00a0 I know it\u2019s on the other side of the country, but you can visit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah–that\u2019s what she said too.\u00a0 She also said that she will bring him here to visit sometime.\u00a0 But Pa—it will never be the same!\u00a0 Right now, I am his father.\u00a0 By the time he gets to living with them he will have a new pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you are worried that he won\u2019t love you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo–I am worried that he will forget me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe replied and then put his hands up to his face and wept at the thought.<\/p>\n Ben pulled Joe into his arms and felt his body tremble as his sorrow poured out along with his tears.\u00a0 \u201cJoey will never forget you, Joseph.\u00a0 You needn\u2019t worry.\u00a0 God had a reason for all of this, Son.\u00a0 Right now, none of us see it, maybe we never will.\u00a0 But you two were brought together the day that you delivered him and the bond will forever be there.\u00a0 Trust me on this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wish now it had never happened.\u00a0 This is the worst pain I have ever felt in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s what love is all about, Joseph.\u00a0 The joy of birth and the hurt from letting go of the ones you love for their own sakes.\u00a0 By you helping Joey to be okay with this move is the biggest gift you can give him now.\u00a0 It’s also the hardest thing you have ever done, I know.\u00a0 But you love that boy far too much to see him hurt over leaving you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe needed me. Pa.\u00a0 He needed me from the day he was born.\u00a0 No-one has ever needed me like that. He put his whole faith in me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled and hugged his son.\u00a0 \u201cI think you may be a little bit wrong on that theory, Joe.\u00a0 I need you too, so do your brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot like Joey.\u201d\u00a0 Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDoing this–letting him go–it\u2019s killing me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will survive, you are tough.\u00a0 Perhaps the toughest Cartwright ever born.\u00a0 But, that\u2019s just a proud father\u2019s opinion.\u00a0 Now, you have to make this move to keep Joey from hurting forever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll try–for Joey\u2019s sake–not for that woman\u2019s sake though.\u00a0 I will never like her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet it go, Joseph.\u00a0 Your anger is not with her, it\u2019s with the situation.\u00a0 She does love Joey too you know?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNever as much as I do.\u201d\u00a0 Joe corrected his father.<\/p>\n \u201cThen prove it by letting him go.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stared into the deep brown eyes of his father and knew in his heart that Pa was right.\u00a0 Ben could see he had broken through to his son; the anger was now softened on the boy\u2019s face and sadness replaced it.\u00a0 \u201cNow, how about helping your father down out of here?\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and stood and reached for Joe\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Joe took it, as he had done so many times, and hoped he would draw from it the strength he would need to get through what would happen next.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Joe laid in his bed all that night tremendously missing the presence of the little boy who had so often fallen asleep curled up next to him.\u00a0 There was just Joey\u2019s stuffed bear in the bed now.\u00a0 Karen had taken Joe up on his off-handed remark to take the boy into her own room.\u00a0 Joe prayed for slumber, but it would not come.\u00a0 As the sun\u2019s first rays shot through his curtain, Joe knew he was in for one long day.<\/p>\n Pulling Cochise out of his stall, Joe tightened the cinch and was ready for a fast getaway.\u00a0 He had hoped to be long gone by the time Joey noticed his absence.\u00a0 The plan failed as the front door to the house flung open and Joey ran into the yard screaming Joe\u2019s name.\u00a0 He ran over to Joe at the barn door and clung to his legs.\u00a0 Joe looked up and saw both his father and Karen running out to take Joey.\u00a0 Joe knelt down and hugged the boy, then he knew what he had to say.<\/p>\n \u201cJoey–I have to work all day.\u00a0 It\u2019s not the kind of thing I can do with you, so your aunt is gonna play with you today, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou play too!\u201d\u00a0 Joey replied loudly.<\/p>\n Joe stood up and caught sight of his father.\u00a0 Ben was waiting to see if Joe could put himself last for Joey\u2019s sake.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t, Joey.\u00a0 Now you go on over there and show Karen all the toys that Hoss and Adam made for you.\u00a0 You have to show her how well you can ride your rocking horse!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou come with me.\u201d\u00a0 Joey tried once more.<\/p>\n Joe swung up into his saddle as Karen reached for Joey and pulled him into her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll take good care of him, Joe, you go on and do your work.\u00a0 Your father has told me all about your great abilities with horses.\u201d\u00a0 Karen smiled but it was not returned.\u00a0 Joe kicked at Cochise\u2019s sides and hurried out of the yard.\u00a0 He could no longer handle the scene that his leaving was causing.<\/p>\n ***********<\/p>\n Adam saw the pinto fly past him and he turned his horse to follow his brother.\u00a0 He had been waiting on Joe, wondering how he would handle leaving Joey for the day.\u00a0 His instincts had been correct as he noticed the look Joe wore when he had passed him.\u00a0 Joe didn\u2019t stop his fast gallop across the meadow.\u00a0 He rode at break-neck speed, and Adam was now worried that Joe would be hurt. Adam sent Sport forward trying to catch up with his brother.<\/p>\n Adam reached out with his right hand to cup Cochise\u2019s bridle, stopping the horse abruptly.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave me alone!\u201d\u00a0 Joe shouted.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sorry I can\u2019t do that.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need to be alone right now so I am afraid you are stuck with your oldest brother for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe dipped his hat over his eyes so Adam wouldn\u2019t see his tears. \u201cI want to be alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go over to Miller\u2019s Pond.\u00a0 I have something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe frowned; he knew from past experience that his oldest brother could not be talked out of something once he had set his mind to it.\u00a0 Reluctantly Joe nodded and followed Adam down to the pond.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go sit on the bridge.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stated as he dismounted.\u00a0 Joe stood his ground.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, what is it, Adam?\u00a0 You know I want to be alone, but you insist on forcing your company on me.\u00a0 So, what do you have to show me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait here.\u201d\u00a0 Adam grinned and then walked behind a tree and then reappeared carrying two fishing poles.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time since the two of us just goofed off and went fishing.\u201d\u00a0 Adam handed Joe one of the poles.<\/p>\n \u201cOh–so this is just to take my mind off the fact that my son is going away?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 Adam replied quietly and put his hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThis is so we can both sit and talk and maybe catch a couple of fish.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe followed Adam to the center of the bridge and sat down.\u00a0 He was still a little annoyed that Adam would think that spending a day fishing would help in any way.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s mind was on far more important things.\u00a0 Both men cast their lines into the water and waited.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, I don\u2019t know if I can ever again think of you as just a kid.\u00a0 I have spent my whole life picturing you that way, but now it has changed.\u00a0 You’ve done such a wonderful job with Joey; I have watched you with the boy.\u00a0 It\u2019s almost as though I have watched you grow up these last couple of weeks.\u00a0 I just wanted you to know how proud I am of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs this like a warning or something?\u00a0 Like–hey don\u2019t turn back into a brat once Joey leaves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were never a brat, even if I have called you that before.\u201d\u00a0 Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI just don\u2019t want to see this destroy you.\u00a0 I can imagine how all of this is weighing on you now.\u00a0 I want you to know that I’m sorry, I wish I could do something about it.\u00a0 I even talked to Karen last night for you, hoping I could get her to change her mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGuess it didn\u2019t work, huh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe frowned at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cNo—I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 But, you need to remember we are all here for you.\u00a0 And once Joey gets settled I would be glad to go with you to Maryland and visit him.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe reached over and touched his brother\u2019s arm affectionately.\u00a0 \u201cThanks.\u00a0 But, it\u2019ll be awhile before I can go see him.\u00a0 Karen wants him to get all settled.\u00a0 I\u2019ve done everything else she\u2019s asked.\u00a0 Guess she holds all the cards now.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stopped and looked out into the pond.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s just fish now, I don\u2019t think I can talk about this anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded and cast his line in again.\u00a0 Joe was there next to him, so he knew he was safe and not somewhere alone brooding over his loss.\u00a0 Adam was content now, knowing Joe understood how he felt.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n Joe had spent the entire day with his brother Adam.\u00a0 As evening fell, they ate dinner in Virginia City and then stopped at the Silver Dollar for a few drinks.\u00a0 But, it was only inevitable that Joe had to at last face going home.\u00a0 It was a long ride to the Ponderosa that evening.\u00a0 Adam had offered to put up the two horses, and Joe slowly made his way back into the house.<\/p>\n Joe opened the door and the sight before him sent his breath from him.\u00a0 There was Karen asleep in a chair by the fireplace with Joey snuggled up next to her.\u00a0 They looked so natural, as though it was indeed Kay and her son.\u00a0 Joe swallowed hard and part of the anger he had toward the woman faded.\u00a0 Joey looked totally contented.\u00a0 As Joe made his way over to the fireplace, Karen awoke.\u00a0 She smiled at Joe and then nudged Joey.<\/p>\n \u201cI told you he would be back soon.\u201d\u00a0 Karen whispered to Joey, who suddenly opened his eyes widely.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe!\u201d Joey yelled and hopped down out of the chair.\u00a0 \u201cI missed you!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe held out his arms and the boy rushed into them.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s my boy?\u201d\u00a0 Joe smiled and the little boy kissed him on the cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cWe play all day.\u00a0 Aunt Karen plays good.\u00a0 You know what?\u00a0 She has a little boy too!\u00a0 And she is gonna take me to play with him!\u201d\u00a0 Joey said exuberantly.<\/p>\n Joe pulled Joey into his lap, sitting down on the settee.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I know that.\u00a0 You will have lots of fun playing with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou come to!\u201d\u00a0 Joey insisted and saw Joe\u2019s eyes turn misty.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t do that right now, Joey.\u00a0 You are going to have a fun time.\u00a0 I promise I will come to visit and you can visit here too.\u201d\u00a0 Joe fought back his grief to try and ease the little boy\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, I want you with me.\u00a0 I cared!\u201d\u00a0 Joey insisted and started to form tears in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNow, no need for tears, Joey.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never be that far away.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and knew it was a lie.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, you said you would take care of me.\u00a0 You promised.\u201d\u00a0 Joey reminded.<\/p>\n Joe looked toward Karen hopelessly.\u00a0 He had promised the boy he would never leave him and here he was agreeing to let him leave.<\/p>\n Karen walked over and sat on the settee next to them both.\u00a0 \u201cJoey, you know that Joe is your Godfather.\u00a0 No matter where you are he will always be your Godfather and he will always watch after you.\u00a0 He is going to come visit us and I promised that I would bring you back here to visit.\u00a0 I will keep that promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Joe be lonely without me.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said sadly and Joe hugged the boy fiercely.<\/p>\n \u201cYou will always be in my heart.\u00a0 No matter where you are, no matter what you do.\u00a0 If you ever need me, I will be there so fast that it will make your head spin.\u00a0 But, Joey this is what is best for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou marry Aunt Karen then we all be together!\u201d<\/p>\n Karen smiled at the thought.\u00a0 \u201cJoey, I am already married to your uncle Mark.\u00a0 You will like him.\u00a0 He likes little boys.\u00a0 He will take you fishing and swimming and we even have some horses for you to ride on our farm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, why can\u2019t Joe come?\u201d\u00a0 Joey looked piercingly at Karen.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what to say.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I need him here.\u201d\u00a0 Came Ben\u2019s voice from the dining room.\u00a0 \u201cRemember–I told you he is my little boy.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want me to be sad do you, Joey?\u201d\u00a0 Ben tried to get through to the child.<\/p>\n \u201cK.\u00a0 But you let him come and play with me–k?\u201d\u00a0 Joey tried to make a deal.<\/p>\n Ben reached down and drew the boy up into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, I will let him go to your new home and play with you!\u00a0 But, that deal goes both ways–you have to come out here too–and play with all of us!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will–promise!\u201d\u00a0 Joey smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay now that it is settled let\u2019s get you up to bed.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said standing and reached for the boy.\u00a0 Ben handed him over and Joe started for the stairs.\u00a0 He turned around before reaching the second step and looked over at Karen.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon–let\u2019s both do this tonight.\u201d\u00a0 Joe said and she smiled back over to him.<\/p>\n Ben watched as his son, Joey and Karen walked up the stairs together.\u00a0 His chest swelled with pride over the way that his son had handled an awful situation.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n Wednesday came much too fast for all of the Cartwrights.\u00a0 As they readied the buckboard for Joey\u2019s departure a feeling of sadness hung in the air.\u00a0 Ben elected to drive the wagon with Karen and Joey.\u00a0 Joe decided to ride behind them.\u00a0 Pa knew that decision had been made so his son could beat a fast retreat after seeing the boy off.\u00a0 Adam and Hoss hugged Joey as they both lifted him onto the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cNow remember–next visit we are gonna teach you how to ride a horse of your own.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI miss you–Hoss–I miss you too, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Joey said sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t goodbye, Joey–this is just see you later.\u201d\u00a0 Adam corrected and adjusted the boy\u2019s much too big hat that Pa had bought him.<\/p>\n \u201cBye!\u201d\u00a0 Karen waved to the two men as the wagon pulled out of the front yard.<\/p>\n \u201cI sure am gonna miss the little tyke.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss admitted brushing back tears.<\/p>\n \u201cMe too–but just think how Joe is gonna feel when that stage pulls away.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWe are gonna have to do our best to help cheer him up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTime, Hoss.\u00a0 Time and seeing Joey again.\u00a0 That\u2019s the only thing that is gonna help our little brother.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed and Hoss nodded his agreement.<\/p>\n ***************<\/p>\n Karen and Joey stood alongside the stagecoach.\u00a0 The bags had been handed up to the driver, and it was time to depart.\u00a0 Karen reached over and hugged Joe and kissed him on the cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you.\u00a0 I promise you I will take good care of him.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be in touch as soon as we arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe handed Karen a package.\u00a0 \u201cPut this in Joey\u2019s room when he gets there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d\u00a0 She asked looking at the box.<\/p>\n \u201cI told Joey that his ma and pa are angels.\u00a0 It\u2019s two angel figurines to remember that they are always with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will always be with him, too.\u201d\u00a0 Karen said fighting back tears.<\/p>\n Ben lifted Joey into his arms one last time.\u00a0 \u201cNow, Young Fellow, you watch over your aunt on the way to your new home, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cK–\u201d Joey smiled.\u00a0 He then reached over toward Joe and Joe took the boy from his father.<\/p>\n \u201cYou be good you hear?\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna be checking in about you all the time.\u00a0 And I will visit you in a few months.\u201d\u00a0 Joe whispered and hugged Joey, afraid to let go completely.<\/p>\n \u201cI will \u2013 I love you Godfather,\u201d Joey said and kissed Joe on the cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you too, Joey.\u00a0 And I always will,\u201d Joe replied and somehow found the courage to hand the boy over to his aunt.\u00a0 The two entered the stagecoach and it began to pull away.<\/p>\n Ben and Joe waved goodbye as the stage became smaller and smaller disappearing from view.\u00a0 Ben wrapped his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder and looked into his sad face.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s chin quivered and he closed his eyes to fight back the tears.<\/p>\n \u201cI need to be by myself for a while, Pa,\u201d Joe whispered breaking free of his father\u2019s hold.\u00a0 He hurried to Cochise and swung up into the saddle.\u00a0 Kicking at the horse\u2019s sides Joe sent his mount into a gallop.\u00a0 Ben knew that Joe needed some time alone to think and come to terms with what had happened.\u00a0 Reluctantly he walked back to the buckboard and sent the team forward and back to the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n Ben had waited as long as any worried father could for his son\u2019s return.\u00a0 But when afternoon slipped by, and it was nearing sunset he mounted his horse and went off in search of Joe.\u00a0 He had an idea as to where he would find him this time, and it turned out that he was correct as usual.\u00a0 It was almost dusk when Ben led Buck down to the shore of Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 He dropped his reins down next to Cochise and stared off toward the rocks that jutted out into the vast lake.\u00a0 There, a solitary figure sat.\u00a0 Ben made his way across the large smooth flat stones and over to his boy.\u00a0 He had been to that very spot many times in the past.\u00a0 His memories took him back to all of the upheavals in his youngest son\u2019s life and how he had gone out onto the rocks before in the hopes of helping Joe through his troubles.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought that I might find you here,\u201d Ben said quietly and sat down alongside of the boy.<\/p>\n Joe looked over at Pa\u2019s worry creased face.\u00a0 Secretly he had hoped that his father would come and find him.\u00a0 And, as usual, Pa hadn\u2019t let him down.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been here for a long time, Pa — just thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout Joey?\u201d Ben asked as he wrapped his arm around Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe that he\u2019s gone.\u00a0 You know I hoped that I could raise him — kinda show him all of the things that you\u2019ve shown me growing up?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled at the thought.\u00a0 \u201cWell, from what I saw, you will make a wonderful father someday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cComing from you it seems strange to hear that.\u00a0 I will never be the father that you\u2019ve been to me.\u00a0 You are the best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour time will come, Son.\u00a0 And when it does, I know that you\u2019ll make me proud.\u00a0 Prouder than I am already.\u00a0 And that\u2019s saying something.\u00a0 I know how hard today was for you, but you handled it in a way that was best for Joey.\u00a0 That\u2019s what a father has to do sometimes, Joseph, put himself last in order to help his children.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded and returned, \u201cIs it worth all of this, Pa?\u00a0 All the pain that goes with it?\u201d He turned his hazel eyes on his father and the question burned through Ben\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s worth all of the worry, all of the heartache, Joseph.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t always pleasant \u2013 I can attest to that!\u00a0 But the joy far outweighs all of the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe thought on what his father had said.\u00a0 He knew that someday he would come to believe it, just not today.\u00a0 He still had a broken heart.\u00a0 Joe reached into the lake and pulled up Joey\u2019s sailboat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you have there?\u201d Ben asked and Joe handed it over to him.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a boat that I made for Joey.\u00a0 It never worked; I couldn\u2019t get it to sail.\u00a0 I was hoping to get the chance to fix it, but I ran out of time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, let\u2019s see,\u201d Ben moved around some of the lines and straightened out the mast.\u00a0 He then handed it back to his son.\u00a0 \u201cPut it back into the water.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe knelt down and placed the boat into the lake and gave it a push.\u00a0 It still just sat there unmoving.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a lot to learn about ship building, Pa,\u201d Joe sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have lots and lots of time for that,\u201d Ben laughed and hugged Joe.\u00a0 \u201cCan I persuade you into coming home now?\u00a0 Your poor old pa is getting mighty sore sitting here on this hard rock.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe sighed deeply; he knew it was time to go home but he dreaded it.\u00a0 The house would seem so empty without his little boy there.\u00a0 Finally, he gave into the inevitable and stood.\u00a0 Joe reached down and offered his father a hand and Ben gratefully took it into his own.<\/p>\n Both father and son made their way back to shore.\u00a0 As soon as they mounted their horses Ben called out to Joe and pointed toward the lake.\u00a0 \u201cLook there!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe turned and saw Joey\u2019s boat as it sailed off into the vastness of Lake Tahoe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see there, Boy, you are a good ship builder after all!\u201d Ben exclaimed proudly.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah \u2013 with your help,\u201d Joe nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what a father is for, Joseph.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go home,\u201d Pa grinned and turned his horse.<\/p>\n Joe paused for a moment and watched as the boat sailed farther and farther away, finally disappearing from sight.\u00a0 In his heart he knew that it was a sign that he had to let go of both the boat and the little boy who he loved so much.\u00a0 Joe kicked at Cochise\u2019s sides and caught up with his father heading back home.<\/p>\n The End<\/strong><\/p>\n Written by: Wrangler.<\/p>\n (from an older Wrangler story, re-written 11-28-2025)<\/p>\n *** The characters of the Patrick family and how Joe ended up delivering Joey is in the story “Every Purpose Under Heaven”, and the saga about Joe’s morphine addiction is in the “Whatever It Takes” series. ***<\/p>\n (Dedicated to the story consultant Rob, for always listening to my stories and me. Inspiration for this story came from my two children. It’s easy to love a child, though they can be a handful at times. Julie, my firstborn, who has brought such joy into my life and Will who never could say his “s’s” like Joey. I’ve been blessed.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n