Summary:\u00a0 Joe is celebrating an important birthday, but will his family allow him to become a man?<\/p>\n
Rated: K+ \u00a0WC \u00a03000<\/p>\n
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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 A Surprise Birthday<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPlease Peter, oh please, just this once.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n Peter looked at the young woman in exasperation, \u201cYou know it\u2019s not allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s his birthday and not just any birthday, he\u2019s 18,\u201d she pleaded. Then seeing the indecision on his face she quickly added. \u201cGrant me this one thing and I won\u2019t ask you anything else ever again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Peter said shaking his head. \u201cWhat would he say if he found out?\u201d<\/p>\n She became all coy, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to tell him everything and anyway it\u2019s only one day, just one day, that\u2019s all I\u2019m asking for.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh all right,\u201d Peter relented. \u201cBut you had better be back here before night falls, or I won\u2019t be held responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, thank you, thank you,\u201d the young woman cried, throwing her arms round the elder man\u2019s neck and kissing him on the cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cBe off with you,\u201d he said grumpily, pretending not to like her attentions, but then he smiled as he watched her run off into the distance; so happy and full of life\u2026\u2026..\u2019So full of life\u2019 he mused with a silent chuckle; what a strange expression.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Mornings were not Little Joe\u2019s favourite time of the day. He heard movement on the landing and knew the rest of the family must be making their way down to breakfast. Just five more minutes, that\u2019s all he wanted, five minutes and he would be fine. But five minutes he didn\u2019t get.The bedroom door burst open and Hoss lumbered in. Pulling the bedclothes from Joe\u2019s curled up body he declared.\u201cCome on little brother, it\u2019s time to rise and shine.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe tried to retrieve his blankets but Hoss was holding on tight. \u201cAw come on Hoss, it\u2019s still dark outside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt may be dark Joseph, but that doesn\u2019t alter the fact it\u2019s morning. And it may be your birthday, but there\u2019s still work to be done.\u201d<\/p>\n Birthday! Joe had forgotten it was his birthday. From today he was a man. Maybe not in the eyes of the law, but his Pa always said \u2018Wait until you\u2019re 18!\u2019.<\/p>\n Well today he was 18 and everything would change from this day forward. He would make his own decisions, stay out all night if he wanted, and even visit the saloon girls without having to sneak around. After all what could his family say about it\u2026.he was now 18, a man in every sense of the word.<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t bound down to breakfast in his usual fashion; he dressed carefully and walked down the stairs, one foot at a time, much in the way his father, Adam and Hoss did. He wasn\u2019t a kid anymore.<\/p>\n The new sedate Joe didn\u2019t go unnoticed by his family and Ben cast a stern glance at his elder sons, warning them to smother their laughter. This was Joe\u2019s day and he wasn\u2019t about to let them spoil it.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning son,\u201d Ben said cheerily as Joe pulled out his chair and sat down.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning Pa, Adam, Hoss,\u201d Joe replied, beaming a wide smile at his family. \u201cBoy am I hungry!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell eat heartily Joe,\u201d Ben encouraged. \u201cA man needs a good breakfast inside of him before he starts the day.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe and Ben locked eyes for a second and grinned. The fa\u00e7ade was broken and Adam and Hoss were on their feet, slapping their brother on the back and wishing him Happy Birthday. Presents seemed to appear from nowhere and Joe looked on with glee as Joe the man was quickly replaced by Joe the boy as the wrapping paper came off and he declared \u2018it was just what he wanted\u2019 over and over again.<\/p>\n The last of the gifts unwrapped; Joe was surprised when Ben left the table and came back carrying a small package. \u201cWhat is it Pa?\u201d he asked curiously.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen it and see,\u201d Ben encouraged with a knowing smile on his face.<\/p>\n Joe carefully peeled back the paper and hesitated for a second before opening the small box. Inside was a pocket watch, similar to the one worn by Ben, only more ornate. It looked expensive, but not flashy, and Joe was dumbstruck. It wasn\u2019t new, but none of the brothers could remember seeing it before.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful Pa,\u201d Joe marvelled as he turned it over in his hand to read the inscription on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cTo Francis, my one true love,\u201d Joe read out aloud, before looking at his Pa in puzzlement. \u201cFrancis?\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n \u201cYes \u2018Francis\u2019,\u201d Ben smiled. \u201cThis watch belonged to your grandfather \u2013 your mother\u2019s father. It was given to him by your grandmother on their wedding day.\u201d<\/p>\n A lump formed in Joe\u2019s throat. \u201cMy grandfather,\u201d he whispered, as tears sprang to his eyes and an awkward silence followed. The family were well aware of Joe\u2019s sensitivity with anything to do with his mother, but Joe didn\u2019t want to put a dampener on the day and so with great effort he brought his emotions under control and smiled. \u201cBest present ever,\u201d he declared, before hugging his father fiercely.<\/p>\n Hoss peeked over Joe\u2019s shoulder and looked at the watch in admiration. \u201cYou know Short Shanks it\u2019s just like you\u2026. too pretty for words.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019re you calling pretty?\u201d Joe growled, trying to land a playful left hook on his brother\u2019s chin, but only succeeding in reaching Hoss\u2019 shoulder and bouncing back with the impact.<\/p>\n \u201cNow boys,\u201d Ben admonished and they all laughed aloud as they sat down to eat.<\/p>\n Once the meal was finished Ben proclaimed, \u201cNow I know it\u2019s only Friday and I\u2019m not one to make allowances for birthdays and such, but on the other hand it\u2019s not every day my youngest becomes a man. So on this occasion Joseph I\u2019ve decided to make an exception to my normal rules and give you the day off, I\u2019m sure your brothers will be more than willing to take up the slack.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss let out a cry of mock protest, but Joe wasn\u2019t about to let the moment pass.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know Pa I think that\u2019s an excellent idea and I know just how to spend my time. I\u2019ve been trying to catch a particularly ornery pike in the lake for the last month or so, but to no avail. That pike has been in the lake forever, getting bigger and bigger each year, well today I think he\u2019s met his match.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like a great idea Little Joe; I\u2019ll get Hop Sing to make you a picnic basket. There\u2019s a bit of a chill in the air so just remember to wrap up warm, I wouldn\u2019t want you to catch a cold.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe rolled his eyes to the ceiling and was just about to remind his father that he wasn\u2019t a child, when Ben cut him off in mid sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cA father doesn\u2019t stop worrying just because his sons have grown up \u2013 just ask your brothers! And another thing; be sure to be home, washed and changed, by 6pm ready for your party. It wouldn\u2019t do for the guest of honour to be late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa,\u201d Joe replied. \u201cI\u2019ll be all washed and ready like a good little boy.\u201d<\/p>\n As Joe walked over to the credenza a smile appeared on Ben\u2019s lips. \u201cWell see that you do young man, I\u2019ll be inspecting behind your ears just to make sure.\u201d<\/p>\n With a resigned sigh, Joe walked outside, his brother\u2019s laughter ringing in his ears. Some things were destined never to change!<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Joe lay back on the embankment with his eyes closed, totally ignoring the dampness of the grass as it seeped through the blanket and into his jacket. He had tied his fishing line to his boot and was prepared to leap to attention at the first tug of the line.<\/p>\n For some strange reason, Joe began to feel he was not alone. Very guardedly he opened his right eye and surveyed his surroundings, then in one fluid movement he sat up and pulled his gun from its holster. His mouth dropped open in surprise when he found a young woman preparing to seat herself beside him on the grass.<\/p>\n Looking round in dismay to see who else might be present, Joe finally turned back to her and said, \u201cWhere did you come from?\u201d The girl just shrugged and Joe replaced his gun. \u201cI didn\u2019t hear you ride up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you were sleeping,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t sleeping,\u201d Joe protested. \u201cI was only resting my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman didn\u2019t seem to hear him; she just sat and gazed at his face as if she couldn\u2019t get enough of him.<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway you never said where you came from,\u201d Joe pressed, beginning to feel uncomfortable under her intensive stare.<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t I?\u201d she shrugged evasively. \u201cWell I might ask you the same question. Where do you come from?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI live here,\u201d Joe replied indignantly. \u201cThis is the Ponderosa, my family owns this land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you must be Little Joe Cartwright,\u201d the woman confirmed. But she said \u2018Little Joe\u2019 in a caressing way that made Joe\u2019s skin tingle.<\/p>\n \u201cYes I am,\u201d Joe said huskily, now looking at the young woman before him more closely for the first time. She really was beautiful, probably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. There was something about her that made Joe feel drawn towards her and he found himself warming to her instinctively. He had only been in her presence for a few minutes, but already he felt as if he had known her his whole life.<\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t you cold?\u201d Joe asked, suddenly noting her thin cotton dress and bare arms.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Are you?\u201d the woman chuckled, the sound of her laughter echoing round the lake.<\/p>\n Joe thought for a second and then realised. No he wasn\u2019t cold; in fact he was quite warm and would need to remove his jacket. How could that be? It was the end of October and only that morning there had been a slight frost on the land. The blanket he was sitting on no longer felt damp and he could feel the warmth of the sun on his face.<\/p>\n The close proximity of the girl, the heat of the sun and an eighteen year old\u2019s hormones all came into play and Joe found himself leaning towards her and whispering seductively, \u201cAnyone ever tell you how beautiful you are?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s eyes closed and he licked his lips in anticipation, but the reaction he got wasn\u2019t the one he was hoping for. The hand that slapped his face was anything but soft and the angry words that followed took him completely by surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cYou young scoundrel,\u201d she shrieked. \u201cWhy I\u2019m old enough to be your\u2026.to be your\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe jumped back in surprise. \u201cOld enough to be my what?\u201d he asked in a voice tinged with indignation and just a little sarcasm.<\/p>\n \u201cNever you mind,\u201d the woman scolded, spluttering as if she had been caught out, and then turning her back on him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d Joe apologised, now thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour.<\/p>\n The woman turned back to him and smiled, \u201cNo harm done,\u201d she conceded. \u201cNow let\u2019s see if we can catch some fish.\u201d<\/p>\n The next few hours were filled with laughter and joy and Joe could not remember when he had ever had such a good time with such a perfect companion; wishing the day would never end.<\/p>\n Joe had lots of questions to ask: but somehow they didn\u2019t seem important any more. All he wanted now was to enjoy her company and make the most of the rest of their day. If a question did pop into his mind, it seemed to pop out again just as quickly, before he even had time to ask it.<\/p>\n At one point he dug into his pocket and pulled out his new pocket watch, proudly passing it over. He could see tears suddenly form in the young woman\u2019s eyes as she fingered the ornate case and read the inscription. And as she handed it back into Joe\u2019s palm, she\u2019d tenderly squeezed his fingers over it. \u201cKeep it safe Little Joe. Keep it safe for all time.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe never did catch the pike he had been seeking, but secretly he hoped he never would. That fish had managed to elude him for many years and he would be sorry if the game ever ended. But he did manage to catch plenty of other fish, enough to feed the family for dinner the next day and even satisfy brother Hoss\u2019 appetite.<\/p>\n It was late afternoon and the sun was still shining; this really was a strange day. Joe lay once more on the blanket and looked at the sky. The woman came and lay next to him.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you ever look at the stars?\u201d Joe asked wistfully.<\/p>\n \u201cAll the time,\u201d she replied. \u201cAll the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe smiled. \u201cI like looking at the stars on a clear night, because that\u2019s when I\u2019m able to pick out the brightest star of all and that really makes me happy.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman rolled onto her side so she could look down at the young man\u2019s innocent face. She knew the answer to her question, but she had to ask it anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy does it make you happy Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it makes me think of my Mama. She died when I was little and Pa used to take me outside and point to the brightest star in the sky and tell me that it was my Mama looking down on me.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman\u2019s eyes clouded and tears rolled down her cheeks.<\/p>\n Joe was immediately contrite. \u201cHey, I\u2019m sorry, truly I am. I didn\u2019t mean to upset you. It\u2019s just a silly kid\u2019s story and it all happened such a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Wiping away her tears the woman was quick to reassure. \u201cDon\u2019t worry you haven\u2019t upset me, you haven\u2019t upset me at all. It\u2019s just such a beautiful story; you must have loved her very much.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s chin trembled and dropped to his chest. \u201cYes I did. She was the most wonderful woman in the world, and the truth is, I still miss her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t mourn her,\u201d the woman said softly. \u201cYou know you never really lose someone. Every time you think of them you keep alive their memory and then they will always be with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe tried to change the mood. \u201cThat\u2019s what my Pa says.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a wise man.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe nodded his head in agreement. \u201cAnd at the end of the day I still have my Pa and my brothers; Adam and Hoss. They\u2019re the best family a guy could have.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes they are,\u201d the woman agreed, and once again the question as to how she knew sprang to Joe\u2019s lips only to be forgotten before he had time to ask.<\/p>\n Joe lay down again and looked once more at the sky. His eyes began to feel very heavy and within minutes he drifted off into a peaceful sleep dreaming of his mother. When he awoke it was almost dark and he was alone once more. Jumping quickly to his feet, he looked around for his companion, but she was gone. He went to call her name, but realised he didn\u2019t even know what it was. In fact he knew nothing about her, nothing at all; only that she had made him feel happy and content and had given him the best birthday he could ever remember.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n When Joe arrived home that evening the house was a hive of activity. Happy Birthday banners hung from the veranda and his Pa, brothers and Hop Sing were dressed and rushing round making final preparations.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere on earth have you been?\u201d Ben admonished, but then held his hand in the air preventing Joe from giving an explanation. \u201cNever mind. And why aren\u2019t you wearing your jacket boy, you\u2019ll catch a cold in this frost. Haven\u2019t you got the sense you were born with?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe didn\u2019t move and Ben lost patience. \u201cGuests will be arriving in thirty minutes and I want you washed, dressed and in here to greet them if you know what\u2019s good for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was only just quick enough to escape his father\u2019s heavy hand as he headed for the wash house. Man or not, some things never change.<\/p>\n Twenty minutes later as Joe stood combing his still wet hair in front of the mirror, he smiled at his own handsome reflection and just for a second he thought he saw the beautiful stranger smiling back at him. Their faces almost became one. This was so odd. Joe scratched his head and tried to make sense of it all. Was she real or had it all been a dream?<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n \u201cYou only just made it, two more minutes and I would have had to shut the gates.\u201d<\/p>\n The young woman sprinted inside like a young colt, laughing as she went.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you have a good day?\u201d Peter asked unnecessarily as he looked at her radiant face.<\/p>\n \u201cOh the best,\u201d she replied, her excitement bubbling over so she couldn\u2019t get her words out fast enough. \u201cHe\u2019s grown up so well. He\u2019s going to be fine, I just know he is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust as long as he takes after his father,\u201d Peter teased.<\/p>\n The woman pretended to be offended, but then she remembered someone else and she looked around furtively.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t notice I was gone did he? I\u2019m not in any trouble?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh He has too many things to worry about than one young woman who can\u2019t be trusted not to break the rules,\u201d Peter chided. \u201cNow be off with you Marie Cartwright before I take a switch to your hide.\u201d<\/p>\n As she skipped off laughing, Peter sighed and shook his head. She really was a handful, but then again that was what they all loved about her.<\/p>\n St Peter turned and winked at the Lord and the Lord winked back.<\/p>\n \u201cJust you make sure that boy of hers lives to a ripe old age,\u201d Peter instructed. \u201cI don\u2019t think Heaven\u2019s ready to cope with two of them.\u201d<\/p>\n The end<\/p>\n