Summary:\u00a0 It’s not the merriest of Christmases for Little Joe and his family.
\nRating:\u00a0 G (4,175 words)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bonanza<\/strong><\/span> Muscle Tough<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A wide-awake, five-year-old, curly-haired little boy in his blue and white striped night shirt and bare feet \u2013 who should have been in bed and sound asleep \u2013 frowned as the door to his house closed and he watched his father walk toward his chair carrying a package wrapped in brown paper.\u00a0 He\u2019d had to wrinkle his nose and pinch it\u00a0hard\u00a0<\/em>in order to keep from sneezing and being discovered and his head felt mighty funny! \u00a0He was supposed to be in his room.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t\u00a0want\u00a0<\/em>to be in his room.\u00a0 He\u2019d\u00a0been\u00a0<\/em>in his room for\u00a0five whole<\/em>\u00a0days<\/em>\u00a0and he was jumpy as popcorn! \u00a0For the first four he hadn\u2019t been allowed to see anybody but Papa \u2018cause the doc said he \u2018tagjious.\u00a0 Yesterday he got to see Hoss \u2013 but only for a few minutes \u2013 on account of the fact that Papa didn\u2019t believe the doc when he said he wasn\u2019t \u2018tagious no more and he didn\u2019t want everyone else sick for Christmas. The little boy sniffed.\u00a0 \u2018Everyone else\u2019.<\/p>\n No one else was sick.\u00a0 Just him.<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t fair.<\/p>\n Christmas was tomorrow.\u00a0 That\u2019s why it had seemed funny when he heard the knock on the door and why he\u2019d climbed out of bed to see who it was.\u00a0 Most everybody was home with their families just like they were, even though half of\u00a0their<\/em>\u00a0family was missing. Adam had gone somewhere far away to learn things.\u00a0 Joe had no idea why since Adam knew more things than anyone else in the world already, so there couldn\u2019t possibly be any room left in older brother\u2019s head to add something new.\u00a0 And Mama\u2026well\u2026Mama was just\u2026<\/p>\n Gone.<\/p>\n Little Joe wrinkled his nose and pinched it again as he felt another sneeze wriggle up and try to get out.\u00a0 This time the reason wasn\u2019t the \u2018tagious ague he had.\u00a0 It was because Mama wouldn\u2019t be here for Christmas.\u00a0 So, maybe he didn\u2019t care that he had to stay in his room, or that he wouldn\u2019t get to decorate the tree or sing Christmas carols at the piano.\u00a0 Then again Hoss had said during his visit that he didn\u2019t know if they were going to do any of those things anyway since Papa was in a \u2018mood\u2019.<\/p>\n Papa had been in a mood an\u00a0awful<\/em>\u00a0lot lately.<\/p>\n Which was why he didn\u2019t dare sneeze or cough \u2018cause Papa would get awful mad if he saw him at the top of the stairs when he was supposed to be in bed.<\/p>\n Hoss was in bed so there wasn\u2019t no one else to catch him.\u00a0 Joe knew that because older brother had been snoring when he put his ear up against his door.\u00a0 Hoss sure could snore!\u00a0\u00a0Zzz<\/strong>-zzz,\u00a0zzz-<\/strong>zzz \u2013 just like that old saw blade at the mill going back and forth and back and forth on a big old log!\u00a0 Hop Sing wasn\u2019t snoring because he wasn\u2019t home.\u00a0 He was in the settlement visiting his papa and mama.\u00a0 He said he\u2019d be back early in the morning so he had time to cook their Christmas dinner. \u00a0It was just gonna be the four of them. Papa didn\u2019t want no party this year.<\/p>\n Joe wondered if his papa would ever want a party again.<\/p>\n His father was seated in the big red chair by the fire now, staring at the wrapped box he held in his hand.\u00a0 It had been a whole\u00a0five<\/em>\u00a0minutes and Papa hadn\u2019t opened it yet, which amazed the five-year-old.\u00a0 If it had been him it would have been open four and a half minutes ago!\u00a0 Papa took hold of the string and began to tug just as the front door opened and Hop Sing blew in with a strong breeze and a burst of snowflakes.<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing! I didn\u2019t expect you until tomorrow morning,\u201d Papa said as he stood up and headed for the door.\u00a0 \u201cAll is well with your parents I trust?\u201d<\/p>\n Their housekeeper shivered with the cold as he closed the door, which left a pile of snow on the floor that he frowned at. \u00a0Hop Sing didn\u2019t like snow.\u00a0 He called it \u2018messy foolishment\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cWeather much too bad for travel tomorrow morning,\u201d the Asian man replied.\u00a0 \u201cThis one want\u00a0velly<\/em>\u00a0much to be with Mistahs Ben, Hoss, and Little Joe on Christmas day, so he leave early.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI appreciate that,\u201d Papa said.\u00a0 His voice sounded funny.<\/p>\n \u201cNeed all to be together, especially\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0year.\u201d<\/p>\n Papa nodded but said nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cMistah Ben have guest tonight?\u201d the Asian man asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, yes.\u00a0 How did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing indicated the package in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cBox present from friend?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMoses Weiss.\u00a0 He stopped by on his way home.\u00a0 I\u2019m surprised you didn\u2019t pass him on the road.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing not able to tell if he did.\u00a0 Very much snow falling.\u201d\u00a0 He indicated the package.\u00a0 \u201cDoes Mistah Ben know what is inside?\u201d<\/p>\n His papa didn\u2019t smile much these days.\u00a0 He did now.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Strong medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n The box was about as long as Papa\u2019s arm.\u00a0 It was wrapped in brown paper and tied up tight with string.\u00a0 There was something stuck under the string, but it was awful far away and Joe didn\u2019t dare move to get a better look.\u00a0 He thought it might be a sprig of holly.<\/p>\n Or maybe cattle fodder.<\/p>\n \u201cBox big.\u00a0 Bottle of medicine big too?\u201d Hop Sing asked.<\/p>\n \u201cOh yes.\u00a0 Big, and of the best kind,\u201d Papa said as he removed the string and the lid came off. \u00a0Then, like that magician from the circus they saw in the spring, he waved his hand in the air, shouted some magic words, and pulled a fat bottle with a label out of the box.\u00a0 The five-years-old\u2019s lips twisted with a frown.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t read the label from this far away.<\/p>\n Then again, he couldn\u2019t much read at all.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Hop Sing said, \u2018that<\/em>\u00a0kind of medicine,.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe finest kind!\u201d\u00a0 Papa held the bottle up to the light, admiring its coppery color as it glinted in the light of the oil lamp.\u00a0 \u201cSo fine it would cure\u00a0anyone\u00a0<\/em>of what ails them!\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s little fingers gripped the spindles of the staircase.\u00a0 He had a big brown bottle with a coppery liquid inside beside his bed too. \u00a0Papa had been shoveling spoonfuls of the awful stuff into his mouth for at least a year!\u00a0 Or, maybe it was four or five days.\u00a0 Anyhow, it tasted like the bottom of Hoss\u2019 shoe.<\/p>\n And he knew that for a fact.<\/p>\n That old medicine\u00a0he\u00a0<\/em>was taking wouldn\u2019t do anyone any good\u00a0any<\/em>\u00a0how.\u00a0 He was still coughing and sneezing and even worse, running a fever.\u00a0 Before he left the last time the doc had patted him on the head and said \u2013 while looking at his papa \u2013 \u2018my prescription is that the patient take it until it\u2019s all gone.\u2019<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s thick brows bent into a \u2018V\u2019 at the center.\u00a0 Mr. Weiss had said something that sounded an awful lot like that to Papa before he left.\u00a0 As the old man handed the box to his father, he\u2019d said \u2018Remember Benjamin, the patient must drink until he becomes intoxicated!\u2019<\/p>\n Intox\u2019cated.<\/p>\n Intox\u2019cated?<\/p>\n Joe let out a sigh.\u00a0 He\u00a0sure<\/em>\u00a0wished Adam was around to talk to.\u00a0That<\/em>\u00a0was a $10 word if he\u2019d ever heard one!<\/p>\n He could ask Hoss about it, but it wouldn\u2019t do no good.\u00a0 One day he\u2019d overheard a couple of his papa\u2019s men talking about his mama and asked middle brother what it meant when one of them called Mama was a \u2018strumpet\u2019. Hoss got a funny look on his face and told him it meant she was gonna join a band. \u00a0That wasn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n Mama couldn\u2019t even play the pianoforte and that was something\u00a0every\u00a0<\/em>girl did!<\/p>\n The sound of a cork popping returned the little boy\u2019s attention to the great room. \u00a0His father had opened the bottle. He passed it under his nose and sniffed.\u00a0 \u201cA fine aroma.\u00a0 Fruity and spicy with a hint of\u2026\u201d Papa sniffed again.\u00a0 \u201cI believe its chocolate!\u201d<\/p>\n Chocolate?<\/p>\n That sure sounded better than\u00a0his<\/em>\u00a0medicine!<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing, please get me a glass.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing hesitated a bit before crossing to the locked cabinet near the dining room where Papa kept all his medicine.\u00a0 After a minute their housekeeper returned with a funny glass that looked like the stem of a flower holding up a big round bowl.<\/p>\n \u201cMistah Cartwright mean to try gift now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I will.\u00a0 I know it\u2019s early, but there\u2019s no harm done, is there?\u201d\u00a0 Papa took the glass from Hop Sing and filled it about half-full with the coppery colored liquid. \u00a0He took a sip, waited, and then took a second one.\u00a0 \u201cYes, definitely chocolate and perhaps a touch of cinnamon.\u00a0 You know what, Hop Sing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat, Mistah Ben?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFetch another glass.\u201d<\/p>\n The Asian man eyes grew wide.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing not take spirits much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Christmas,\u201d Papa said.\u00a0 \u201cSurely you won\u2019t deny me a drink with a friend?\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing nodded before returning to the cabinet.\u00a0 A moment later he had some medicine too and Papa was raising his glass. \u2018Clink!\u2019 they went together and then Papa said that magic word again.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s to Moses and his good taste. Mazel tov!\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe Cartwright was back in his bedroom, sitting on the edge of his bed with his bare feet dangling, trying to sort things out.\u00a0 He wondered if the preacher knew that his father knew Moses well enough to get a gift from him.\u00a0 To be honest, he was kind of surprised that Moses had dark hair and was losing most of it on top.\u00a0 Seemed like in the Bible it said somewhere that he had lots of it and it was white. Then again, as Papa liked to say, God moved in mysterious ways.\u00a0 A week or so back the preacher in his sermon had called Moses a \u2018gift from God\u2019, so obviously any gift he gave had to be something special! \u00a0So\u2026maybe\u2026what was in the bottle wasn\u2019t\u00a0just<\/em>\u00a0medicine.\u00a0 Maybe it was\u00a0magic\u00a0<\/em>medicine!\u00a0 \u2018So fine it would cure\u00a0anyone\u00a0<\/em>of what ails them\u2019 Papa had said.<\/p>\n \u2018Anyone\u2019 like him.<\/p>\n Little Joe felt a tingle of excitement.\u00a0 If Moses\u2019 magic worked he wouldn\u2019t have to miss Christmas dinner.\u00a0 He\u2019d be able to sing carols without coughing.\u00a0 No more sneezing and no more Papa sitting by his bed all night worrying about him.\u00a0 If the magic medicine worked maybe the dark circles under Pa\u2019s eyes would go away too.<\/p>\n He\u2019d have to check tomorrow to see if they had.<\/p>\n After all, Papa just drank some of the medicine.<\/p>\n But\u2026maybe not\u00a0enough<\/em>\u00a0of it.\u00a0 After all Mister Moses said the patient must drink until he becomes \u2018intox\u2019cated\u2019.<\/p>\n He\u2019d heard the word before.\u00a0 It had taken a little while to remember where.\u00a0 It was a big, long word so he knew it had to be a grown-up.\u00a0 Finally, he remembered!\u00a0 He\u2019d been peeking through the spindles another night listening to his papa and Adam talk.\u00a0 Well, Adam was kind of shouting.\u00a0 Older brother used that word then and grabbed for the bottle of medicine Papa was holding.\u00a0 Maybe Adam needed medicine too!\u00a0 Papa didn\u2019t let him have it.\u00a0 He\u2019d raised the bottle and shouted that magic word \u2013 the one he\u2019d just used.<\/p>\n Muzzle off.<\/p>\n Or maybe it was muscle tough?<\/p>\n Yeah, that was it.\u00a0 Muscle tough.\u00a0 That made a lot of sense on account of after Papa talked to Adam he went outside and put his fist through the barn wall.<\/p>\n So\u2026Moses\u2019s medicine not only cured you but it made you really strong.<\/p>\n Joe eyed the bottle on his night stand with disgust.<\/p>\n That stuff didn\u2019t make you strong.\u00a0 In fact, he was pretty sure it was gonna kill him.<\/p>\n Papa had\u00a0better\u00a0<\/em>medicine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It had been about an hour since he\u2019d watched Papa and Hop Sing from the shadows on the staircase.\u00a0 He\u2019d heard his papa walk by earlier and Hop Sing had to get up really early the next morning, so he was pretty sure both of them were in bed. Little Joe slipped to the floor, put his slippers on this time \u2018cause his toes had been cold before, and walked to the door.\u00a0 He knew he should put his robe on too, but then again no one would know he\u2019d been out of his room, so he didn\u2019t \u2013 even though the cool air moving along the upstairs hallway made him shiver.<\/p>\n And stifle another sneeze.<\/p>\n Quickly, the little boy made his way down the stairs and into the area of the great hearth.\u00a0 The fire was banked for the night, but he could still feel heat radiating out.\u00a0 It felt good on account of he was shivering<\/p>\n Just a little.<\/p>\n Joe felt lucky and pretty sure he was doing the right thing since Papa\u2019s bottle of medicine was still sitting on the table by his chair.\u00a0 Papa\u2019s glass was there too with a little of the coppery liquid in it.\u00a0 The little boy picked up the glass and sniffed it like he\u2019d seen his father do, expecting a whiff of one of Hop Sing\u2019s chocolate cakes.<\/p>\n He got anything\u00a0but!<\/em><\/p>\n The smell wasn\u2019t\u2026bad exactly\u2026but it wasn\u2019t good either.\u00a0 It reminded him of his own medicine only better.\u00a0 It smelled kind of like the bag in the kitchen that Hop Sing\u2019s fruitcake hung in. Joe ran his finger around the glass and popped it in his mouth.<\/p>\n It tasted like fruit cake too.<\/p>\n Not that he would know since he wasn\u2019t supposed to eat it.<\/p>\n \u2018Strong medicine\u2019 Papa had called the stuff.\u00a0 \u2018So fine it would cure\u00a0anyone\u00a0<\/em>of what ails them.\u2019<\/p>\n The cork was awful hard to get out \u2013 so hard, in fact, that Joe dropped the bottle and spilled most of its contents on the rug in front of the fire. \u00a0It was heavy too and hard to handle and by the time he was done there was\u2026maybe\u2026enough left to fill the glass up a half inch or so.\u00a0 The little boy took the glass in both hands and raised it and whispered Mose\u2019s magic words \u2013 \u201cMuscle tough!\u201d and then he took a sip.<\/p>\n And made a face.\u00a0 \u201cUgh!\u201d<\/p>\n Moses\u2019 medicine wasn\u2019t as bad as his, but it wasn\u2019t much better!\u00a0 Joe swallowed what was in his mouth and took another little sip.\u00a0 This time warmth crept through him, taking away the chill so he stopped shivering.\u00a0 His head felt fuzzy like it did after the sneeze he didn\u2019t sneeze.\u00a0 And he was sleepy.<\/p>\n Really<\/em>\u00a0sleepy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hop Sing couldn\u2019t sleep, troubled as he was by the impossible choice he had to make.\u00a0 It had been most hard to choose between his parents and the family he loved, but in the end he knew Mistah Ben and his boys needed him more.\u00a0 This year \u2013 the first Christmas without Missy Marie \u2013 it was most important he be with them.\u00a0 Over the last six months Mistah Ben had lost his way.\u00a0 Often he sought to find comfort in a bottle of brandy such as Mister Weiss had brought.\u00a0 Today would be most hard for his employer and friend \u2013 most hard for all of them \u2013 and so he must keep watch.\u00a0 Mistahs Hoss and Little Joe would need their father.<\/p>\n Especially Mistah Little Joe.<\/p>\n The Asian man glanced at the clock as he moved past.\u00a0 It was nearly five o\u2019clock \u2013 time for the day\u2019s preparations to begin.\u00a0 He could tell Mistah Ben he had been cleaning and somehow misplaced Mister Weiss\u2019 gift.\u00a0 Since it was not his he would return it the next day, much as he had no desire to do so.\u00a0 If Mistah Ben saw it he would not be able to resist. \u00a0By nightfall \u2013 when it came time to light the candles on the tree and celebrate as a family \u2013 he would be worth nothing to his boys.<\/p>\n There were other bottles in the locked cabinet, but he could also say he had misplaced the key.<\/p>\n When Hop Sing rounded the settee, the first thing he did was look for the brandy bottle.\u00a0 Mistah Ben had left it on the table by his chair, but it was not there.\u00a0 It was lying on its side.<\/p>\n Little Joe was lying near it, pale and shaking.<\/p>\n The second thing he did was scream.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Little Joe blinked.\u00a0 He opened one eye, and then the other, and then clamped both shut as the room began to spin.\u00a0 His mouth felt dry as the desert and his throat hurt.\u00a0 When he licked his lips, someone held a glass of water to them and said, \u201cSmall sips.\u00a0 Otherwise you\u2019ll get sick.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe did what he usually did \u2013 he didn\u2019t listen.<\/p>\n When he\u2019d finished vomiting into the chamber pot, the little boy leaned back and looked up \u2013 only to meet his father\u2019s stern gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cDd\u2019di do sumthin\u2019 wrong?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThat depends.\u201d\u00a0 His father reached down, picked up something, and showed it to him.\u00a0 It was the bottle of medicine.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you drink this?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe winced at the sound of his papa\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir,\u201d he said, his voice small.\u00a0 \u201cS\u2019rry I spilled your med-cin\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy\u00a0medicine<\/em>…?\u201d \u00a0Papa\u2019s dark gaze moved to the bottle on his nightstand and then back to the bottle he held.\u00a0 \u201cYou thought\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0was medicine?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u2026what you said\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe felt funny.\u00a0 All he wanted to do was sleep \u2013 and he\u00a0really\u00a0<\/em>wanted to get away from those dark eyes.<\/p>\n His father\u2019s fingers dug into his arm, bringing him wide awake.\u00a0 \u201cHow much?\u00a0 Son, tell me\u00a0how<\/em>\u00a0much you took!\u201d<\/p>\n Tears flooded the little boy\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cS\u2019rry, Papa\u2026.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t take much\u2026promise.\u00a0 I\u2026spilled most of it.\u00a0 \u201d<\/p>\n Papa\u2019s fingers did not let go, but they didn\u2019t pinch as tightly.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, I need to know how much you took.\u00a0 Was it more than the spoonful I normally give you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Joseph\u2019.<\/p>\n He better answer.<\/p>\n \u201cAbout,\u201d Little Joe replied.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe a little more\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Papa released his grip.\u00a0 He leaned back in the chair he had pulled up to the side of the bed and ran a hand over his face. \u201cWhy?\u201d his father asked, his voice utterly weary.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever possessed you to\u2026.\u00a0 Wait, were you listening when Moses was here?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe winced and wished he could melt into his pillows.\u00a0 \u201cThe reverend said Moses is an awful important person and we should\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Pa frowned. \u201cShould what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cList\u2019n to him.\u00a0 And\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd\u00a0what?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI should listen to you too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe?\u201d Papa looked puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cAbout this?\u00a0 What did I say?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was drifting again and finding it hard to find the words.\u00a0 \u201cYou called it strong\u2026med-cin.\u00a0 You\u2026said it would cure what\u2019s\u2026wrong with anyone.\u201d\u00a0 He opened and closed his eyes a couple of time.\u00a0 \u201cLike…you.\u00a0 Wanted to be\u2026muscle tough\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Papa shook him gently.\u00a0 \u201cLittle Joe, you need to stay awake.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t want to\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do, I\u2019ll take you downstairs.\u00a0 Hoss and Hop Sing are just about to light the candles on the tree.\u201d<\/p>\n That<\/em>\u00a0woke him up.\u00a0 \u201cI can go downstairs?\u201d<\/p>\n Papa nodded.\u00a0 \u201cIf you put your feet over the side of the bed now and show me you can stand.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe pushed the covers aside and slid to the floor. \u00a0\u201c\u2019Course I can stand\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Papa sure was quick with that chamber pot!<\/p>\n His father knelt beside him.\u00a0 He placed one hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder and the other on the top of his curly blond hair.\u00a0 \u201cNow you listen to me, little boy.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been through something.\u00a0 You need to take it slow.\u201d<\/p>\n What had he been through?<\/p>\n Wait\u2026<\/p>\n Joe licked his lips again. \u00a0Hop Sing and Hoss were lighting the candles?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s Christmas\u2026night<\/em>?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened to Christmas Day?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe got to feeling better as the night went on, though \u2013 sadly \u2013 his tummy didn\u2019t.\u00a0 It turned somersaults when it saw all the yummy food Hop Sing had fixed, so he had to settle for some tea and toast.\u00a0 He did enjoy lighting the candles on the tree and singing carols, as well as Papa carrying him out into the snow bundled up as tightly as an Indian lady\u2019s papoose.\u00a0 In the end it was just him and his papa left in the Great Room.\u00a0 Hop Sing was in the kitchen cleaning up.\u00a0 The Asian man was singing Christmas carols in that funny way he had where half the words were in English and the other half in Chinese.\u00a0 Hoss had tuckered out early and gone to bed.\u00a0 The two of them were sitting on mama\u2019s fancy settee listening to the fire snap and pop and watching the snow pile up outside the windows.\u00a0 Papa had brought the red, black, and white Indian blanket from the staircase and wrapped him up in it, and then sat beside him with his arm around his shoulders.\u00a0 For the longest time Papa said nothing, then\u2026.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph.\u201d<\/p>\n There is was again,\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0name \u2013 only this time Papa didn\u2019t shout it.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you\u00a0ever\u00a0<\/em>do anything like that again!\u201d<\/p>\n Joe knew what \u2018that\u2019 was.\u00a0 He shook his head. Then he nodded.\u00a0 \u201cNo, sir.\u00a0 I mean, yes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou could have died.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked up sharply.\u00a0 \u201cFrom med-cin?\u201d<\/p>\n His father\u2019s dark eyes closed and remained shut for a few seconds Papa let out a sigh.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 Medicine far too strong for a little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you mad I took it?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI should be, but, no.\u00a0 This was\u00a0my\u00a0<\/em>fault and not yours.\u201d\u00a0 Papa gave his shoulders a little hug.\u00a0 \u201cPlus, son, you taught me a valuable lesson.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s green eyes went wide.\u00a0 \u201cMe?\u00a0 What could\u00a0I<\/em>\u00a0teach you?\u00a0 You know everything!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe not everything,\u201d Papa chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou see I miss\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cIf your\u2026mother\u2026had been here she would have given me an earful for taking my\u2026medicine… on Christmas Day.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have her anymore, but I\u00a0do<\/em>\u00a0have you.\u201d\u00a0 Papa touched his cheek.\u00a0 \u201cYou taught me that one must watch what they say; that little ears are always listening.\u00a0 That the words you choose are important.\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAdam would agree with that one.\u201d<\/p>\n Papa chuckled again.\u00a0 \u201cHe would indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n They were silent for a moment and then Joe asked, \u201cSo was it really medicine in that bottle?\u201d<\/p>\n His father shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what is it then?\u201d<\/p>\n Papa thought a moment before he replied.\u00a0 \u201cA crutch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u201d\u00a0 Joe peeked over the blanket and looked at his father\u2019s legs and arms.\u00a0 \u201cYou got something broken?\u201d<\/p>\n His father nodded. \u00a0\u201cYes, but it\u2019s not something you can see.\u00a0 I was under the mistaken belief that what was in that bottle could mend it or at least numb me so I couldn\u2019t feel the pain.\u201d \u00a0Papa \u00a0paused.\u00a0 \u201cI am\u00a0so\u00a0<\/em>sorry, Little Joe.\u00a0 I have been a terrible father since\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSince mama died?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n The older man cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 I thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat that old medicine would make your heart not broke?\u201d<\/p>\n His father smiled \u2013 a\u00a0real\u00a0<\/em>smile this time.\u00a0 \u201cHow did you come to be so wise?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAdam says it\u2019s \u2018cause I\u2019m like my mama.\u201d\u00a0 When his father remained silent, the little boy asked, \u201cAm I in trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n Papa sighed. \u201cYou\u00a0should<\/em>\u00a0be, but no.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t ever do\u00a0anything\u00a0<\/em>like that again!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about you?\u00a0 Are\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0gonna ever do anything like that again?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 I told Hop Sing to empty the rest of my\u2026medicine\u2026bottles.\u00a0 I\u2019m better now, son.\u201d The older man\u2019s hand ruffled his thick curls.\u00a0 \u201cAll better.\u00a0 Thanks to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSoooo\u2026.do I have to take the rest of\u00a0my<\/em>\u00a0medicine or can Hop Sing empty it out too?\u201d he asked hopefully.<\/p>\n His father\u2019s hand moved to his forehead.\u00a0 \u201cHmm.\u00a0 No fever.\u00a0 I think we can call you \u2018cured\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes that mean I\u2019m in\u2026in tocs\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He scowled.\u00a0 \u201cIntox\u2019cated then?\u201d<\/p>\n Pa\u2019s black brows leaped. \u201cWhat?\u00a0 Whatever would make you ask that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s what Moses said.\u201d\u00a0 He closed his eyes to think better. \u201cThe\u2026patient must drink until he becomes\u2026you know\u2026that<\/em>\u00a0word.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle ears indeed!\u201d\u00a0 His father shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDo you\u00a0ever\u00a0<\/em>do what you\u2019re told?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe thought a moment.\u00a0 \u201cWell\u2026I would if you told me to go to the kitchen and get a piece of Hop Sing\u2019s chocolate cake,\u201d he said with a big grin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They were sitting in the kitchen, wolfing down what was left of Hop Sing\u2019s cake, and watching the sun come up. Papa had fixed a cup of coffee and brought him a big glass of milk.\u00a0 It was early in the morning, so everything in the kitchen had a coppery glow, even the snow on the windowsill.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, son?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe held his glass up and out. \u201cMuscle tough!\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n Papa blinked.\u00a0 \u201cMuscle\u2026tough?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, you know, like Moses said.\u201d<\/p>\n His father chuckled. \u201cI think you mean\u00a0Mozel tov<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMoses is\u2026and was a Jew.\u00a0\u00a0Mozel Tov<\/em>\u00a0is their way of wishing someone health and happiness.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes it work?\u201d<\/p>\n His father raised his cup and touched it to Joe\u2019s glass with a clink.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yes.\u00a0 Mose\u2019s gift definitely brought me both.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you didn\u2019t get to\u00a0drink<\/em>\u00a0any of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Pa\u2019s smile was big as Nevada.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prompt: The patient must drink until he becomes intoxicated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Link to the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar \u2013 Day 9.2 – Clara – McFair_58<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~<\/strong><\/span>
\nDay 9<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n