{"id":6720,"date":"2013-04-30T19:28:56","date_gmt":"2013-04-30T23:28:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6720"},"modified":"2023-03-22T13:13:53","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T17:13:53","slug":"conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6720","title":{"rendered":"Conflict (by pbeaking)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Summary: This was written for the Chaps &amp; Spurs Literary Challenge in April<strong>.<\/strong>\u00a0 Adam and Joe fight and Ben steps in to help.<\/p>\n<p>Rating:\u00a0 K+ 800<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Conflict<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Chapter 1<\/p>\n<p><em>Crash!<\/em> Ben Cartwright looked up from his morning cup of coffee. A moment later another loud clatter brought an immediate furrowed brow. He set down his cup and headed determinedly towards the door. His boys were at it once more. Outside, Adam and Joe were rolling around on the ground each trying to outdo the other. It was hard to tell who was winning through all the dust.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s the meaning of this?\u201d Ben bellowed. The scene around him continued without interruption.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJoe! Adam! Stop you two!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Suddenly Joe jumped to his feet leaving his brother in the dust. He began to encircle him, fists up in a <strong>stalwart<\/strong> position; ready for more. Adam arose slowly, taking time to dust off his pants before calmly folding his arms and cocking his brow.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHad enough?\u201d the older brother sarcastically questioned before turning his back and starting towards the door. That was a mistake. Within a minute Joe flung his whole body at Adam\u2019s back and the two crumbled to the ground. Ben stepped into the mix and firmly grabbed hold of both boys\u2019 collars.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEnough! You two are <strong>brothers<\/strong> not enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam jumped to his feet and forcible pushed his father\u2019s hand away. \u201cWe may be brothers, pa, but we don\u2019t have to think alike and act alike.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Joe was not ready to end this <strong>conflict.<\/strong> He tried to reach over the top of his father to get one more punch at his brother, but Ben had a firm grip.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJoseph! That is enough. Now, I\u2019m sure whatever caused this shameful behavior can easily be remedied through calm discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou ever try to have a calm discussion with a strong-headed bull, pa?\u201d Adam once again folded his arms and cocked his brow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Joe once again lunged towards Adam to no avail. \u201cYou\u2019re the one that\u2019s so damn bull headed, Adam. You just can\u2019t admit that I\u2019m right for once.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight about what, Joe?\u201d Ben questioned, trying to uncover the issue between them.<\/p>\n<p>Joe looked down and kicked the ground. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t really matter, pa.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter? I come out to find two of my sons practically killing each other and it doesn\u2019t matter? I demand an explanation and I want it now!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ben\u2019s eyes shifted from one son to the other before making a decision. \u201cAdam.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Adam suddenly felt his <strong>conscience<\/strong> rise. He knew he had been provoking Joe all morning. \u201cWell&#8230;I merely was trying to broaden Joe\u2019s outlook on things.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe means he was trying to change my beliefs to match his own,\u201d Joe huffed.<\/p>\n<p>Adam unfolded his arms and brought them down to his side. \u201cThat\u2019s not true, Joe and you know it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo I?\u201d the younger brother countered. \u201cYou always think your way is best. No one knows better than Adam Cartwright. Well, this time, brother. I\u2019m not giving in. It\u2019s a matter of <strong>honor<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA matter of stubbornness you mean,\u201d Adam muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n<p>Ben had heard enough.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStop it you two. Stop it now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Both brothers were silenced by the power and frustration in their father\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow I\u2019ve listened to both of you,\u201d Ben continued, \u201cAnd now you both are going to listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Suddenly Ben turned away from his boys and looked out towards the barn to gather his thoughts. His eyes fell upon the small corral located in the eastern corner.<\/p>\n<p>He turned back towards his sons and ordered, \u201cCome with me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The three men walked over to the corral and Ben told Joe to get inside. He positioned Adam along the outside of one of the rails and made both men face each other.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow boys, I want you to think about something. Joe has his opinions and Adam you have yours. Right now, the only thing separating them is this here fence.\u201d Ben paused to pound his palm down on the top rail for emphasis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis fence can easily be climbed over or knocked down in a blink of an eye, but it can also remain standing as well. Now you two <strong>stalwarts<\/strong> are going to have to reach an agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ben turned around instantly and started to head back towards the house.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is ridiculous,\u201d Adam muttered as he leaned against the rail watching his father depart. Ben heard his son\u2019s comment and spun around once more.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIs it, Adam? Well, let me tell you one thing &#8230; conflict is inevitable but combat is optional.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ben then turned and walked into the house.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_6720\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"6720\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif?resize=16%2C16&#038;ssl=1\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary: This was written for the Chaps &#038; Spurs Literary Challenge in April.\u00a0 Adam and Joe fight and Ben steps in to help.<\/p>\n<p>Rating:\u00a0 K+ 800<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":3721,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,39,23,8,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6720","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actionadventure","category-chaps-spurs","category-drama","category-short-stories","category-challenges","wpcat-2-id","wpcat-39-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-8-id","wpcat-40-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2702,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/adam-joe-c.jpg?fit=245%2C230&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2929,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2929","url_meta":{"origin":6720,"position":0},"title":"No Coffee (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0The Cartwrights are out on the trail. Rated: K\u00a0 (700 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chaps and Spurs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/cutthroat-junction.jpg?fit=301%2C303&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2979,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2979","url_meta":{"origin":6720,"position":1},"title":"Captain Joe (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"November 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This story is in response to November's Chaps and Spurs Challenge. Joe on the high seas.\u00a0 Word Count: 546\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chaps and Spurs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/ponderosa-lj.jpg?fit=640%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2901,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2901","url_meta":{"origin":6720,"position":2},"title":"The Fire (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"July 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"This story started off as just a little tidbit that I did for July's Chaps and Spurs challenge. Now there is a mega challenge.\u00a0It's to see if you can keep a story going each month using the Chaps and Spur challenge words. Here's my attempt at that. Rated:\u00a0T","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chaps and Spurs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/fire.jpg?fit=475%2C502&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5278,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5278","url_meta":{"origin":6720,"position":3},"title":"The Squirrel Incident (by Born in the USA)","author":"Born in The USA","date":"April 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0With Hoss and Joe away, Adam has to take care of his brother's chores. And gets a little 'surprise' along the way. Rated:\u00a0K+ (640 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chaps and Spurs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":10697,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=10697","url_meta":{"origin":6720,"position":4},"title":"Tears of Growing Up #2 &#8211; First Ride (by BluewindFarm)","author":"BluewindFarm","date":"March 11, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A companion story for Tears of Growing Up.\u00a0 Two years have passed since Ben and Joe stood outside the corrals watching Adam and their wranglers tame wild horses. Now, it\u2019s finally Joe\u2019s turn. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (2,305 words) Tears of Growing Up Series, links to stories within the series are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chaps and Spurs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/saddle-bronc.png?fit=216%2C233&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2981,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2981","url_meta":{"origin":6720,"position":5},"title":"Brothers and Mud (by frasrgrl)","author":"frasrgrl","date":"April 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 \u00a0This is my entry for April's 2013 Chaps & Spurs\/Pinecone Trifecta.A WHIB for Springtime. Have you ever wondered what happened between the brothers making a \"Joe sandwich\" and the mud fight? Well, here's my answer to it. Word Count: 708\u00a0\u00a0Rated: K","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Chaps and Spurs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Chaps and Spurs","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=39"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/springtime6.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6720\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}