Summary: Adam has the chance to expand his \u2018education\u2019 before going to college, but little brothers, fallen angels and his \u2018creator\u2019 have different ideas.<\/p>\n
Rated: T \u00a0WC 4900<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Paradise Lost<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam Cartwright and his best friend Ross Marquette stood outside the Silver Dollar saloon on a hot sticky day enjoying a long glass of beer. At seventeen years of age they still had about them the cockiness of youth and a hot summer afternoon to look forward to. In just a few short months Adam would be celebrating his eighteenth birthday and after that he planned to leave Virginia City for college back east in Boston. However, before then he was determined to make the most of the time he had left. As he lifted the glass of warm beer to his mouth once more, Adam groaned inwardly; his father and youngest brother were making their way towards him and the sight did not bode well for the plans he had for the remainder of the day.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry about this Adam,\u201d were Ben Cartwright\u2019s opening words, \u201cbut Hop Sing is well and truly on his high horse today. After Joseph\u2019s latest escapade there\u2019s no way I could leave him at home! It\u2019s probably going to take Hop Sing the best part of the day to clean up.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced down at the small child at his father\u2019s side. The five year old looked anything but contrite and Adam had to steal himself not to grimace, as he instinctively knew what his father\u2019s next words were going to be.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think you can watch your little brother for an hour or so? I have a meeting with Sam Myers to discuss a joint venture on the timber contract we are both quoting for, which could take quite a while.\u201d Ben could not help but notice his eldest son\u2019s downcast face.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you have plans Adam and you certainly deserve the break, but what else can I do? There\u2019s no way Little Joe will sit still for five minutes let alone a whole hour.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tried his best to keep the disappointment from his voice, \u201cYeh sure Pa. We\u2019ll just hang around here until you\u2019re finished.\u201d<\/p>\n With a noticeable sigh of relief Ben turned his attention to his youngest child. \u201cBe a good boy for your brother Joseph, and don\u2019t forget we still haven\u2019t had our little talk about this morning\u2019s misdemeanour! Don\u2019t go and add to your troubles young man.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe looked up at his Pa with huge innocent green eyes and gave him his best \u201cbutter wouldn\u2019t melt in his mouth\u201d look. \u201cYes sir, I\u2019ll be real good\u201d.<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s worried face relaxed a little and he reached down and ruffled the child\u2019s curls. \u201cSee that you are,\u201d he admonished.<\/p>\n Another thought came into Ben\u2019s mind and with a hopeful look at Adam he asked, \u201cIt might be a good idea to have his h-a-i-r-c-u-t while he\u2019s in town, I don\u2019t suppose\u2026\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw come on Pa, that\u2019s not fair, I took him last time,\u201d Adam responded immediately, not wanting to be saddled with the least desirable job in the Cartwright household.<\/p>\n \u201cHmm, I suppose it is my turn,\u201d Ben admitted reluctantly. \u201cThen again it will be \u2018my turn\u2019 every time when you go to college.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam recognised the anything but subtle blackmailing technique his father was applying, but he wasn\u2019t going to fall for it. Little Joe and haircuts didn\u2019t go together, not easily that is, and he for one wasn\u2019t going to spoil his Saturday afternoon, sitting in a barber\u2019s chair trying to hold onto a screaming, kicking, five year old.<\/p>\n \u201cOh well\u201d Ben said with a sheepish grin, seeing that his ploy hadn\u2019t worked, \u201cit was worth a try.\u201d With a resigned shrug he ran his hand through the boy\u2019s mop of curls once more and said, \u201cI suppose another week won\u2019t hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe hadn\u2019t been fooled by the spelling out of the word, and he smiled happily as he realised his long tresses were to be saved for yet another day. Looking over towards Adam he tried hard to wink conspiratorially at his big brother but only succeeded in scrunching up both eyes at the same time. Adam almost laughed out loud, but he quickly hid his grin behind his hand. After all, Joe was in enough trouble with his Pa, it didn\u2019t pay to add to it.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the way Adam,\u201d said Ben choosing to ignore his little son\u2019s cheekiness, \u201cI have no objection to you having a couple of beers, after all it\u2019s a hot day, but under no circumstances do you take Little Joe into the saloon.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, of course Pa, I wouldn\u2019t dream of it.\u201d<\/p>\n After a quick glance at his pocket watch, Ben Cartwright bid his sons farewell and set off in the direction of Hiram Wood\u2019s office. Hiram was the family lawyer and Ben rarely made a business decision without his advice or approval.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat now?\u201d Ross asked his friend, at the same time reaching down and tugging teasingly at the small boy\u2019s hair.<\/p>\n \u201cGuess we\u2019ll just have to hang around here until Pa comes back,\u201d Adam replied wearily.<\/p>\n The boys had planned on spending the rest of the afternoon fishing down by the lake, but Adam was not prepared to have the afternoon spoilt by taking along his baby brother. Even though Little Joe professed that he loved to fish and boasted he was the best fisherman in his family, he still couldn\u2019t be trusted to keep still or quiet for more than a few minutes at a time.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get us another beer,\u201d Ross offered generously, making his way into the saloon. \u201cWant a sarsaparilla Little Joe?\u201d he called over his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cYes please,\u201d Joe replied in delight.<\/p>\n Ross returned with the drinks and he and Adam once again resumed their previous conversation, while Little Joe sat happily nearby drinking his sarsaparilla. As the afternoon wore on Adam watched as Pete Darren came sauntering up the street with his little sister Marcie skipping along beside him.<\/p>\n There were six siblings in the Darren clan, Pete was the eldest and Marcie the youngest. Pete was a couple of years older than Adam and Marcie was just a little older than Joe.<\/p>\n As he approached Adam called out to his old friend, \u201cHey Pete, why don\u2019t you come and join us, seeing as how we\u2019ve both been saddled with babysitting duties?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I\u2019ve only got her for a couple of minutes,\u201d Pete declared, grabbing hold of Marcie\u2019s hand before she ran off. \u201cMa\u2019s just doing a bit of shopping so she shouldn\u2019t be long.\u201d With a slight shove on her back Pete sent Marcie in Joe\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n It was rare for the two younger children to get together. They were both pre-school age and whereas Little Joe spent most of his days with Hop Sing, Marcie was still very much the baby of the Darren family and stayed at home with her mother.<\/p>\n \u201cWant some?\u201d Joe offered generously, holding his glass towards Marcie in a welcoming fashion.<\/p>\n Marcie shrugged but took the glass anyway and proceeded to sip slowly at the fizzy drink.<\/p>\n The older siblings smiled indulgently at the younger ones for a moment and then Pete turned to his friends and whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you two heard about the new place on \u2018D\u2019 Street?\u201d This was accompanied by a furtive glance around to make sure no one else was in hearing distance and a self-satisfied smirk covering his face.<\/p>\n \u201cCareful!\u201d Adam warned through gritted teeth, indicating his head towards Marcie and Joe, \u201clittle people have big ears.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey wouldn\u2019t understand anyway,\u201d Ross declared confidently. \u201cCome on then Pete, tell all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Pete continued, hardly able to contain his excitement. \u201cThere\u2019s a new establishment opened and they\u2019ve called it Paradise Lost.\u201d<\/p>\n All three friends sniggered together at the irony of the name.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not very heavenly then,\u201d Adam commented trying to keep a straight face.<\/p>\n \u201cThat all depends on what your idea of paradise is?\u201d Pete shot straight back at him with a glint in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cLet me tell you,\u201d Pete leered, \u201cthey have the best girls in town at those Pearly Gates and one girl in particular called Eve, is the most beautiful fallen angel I\u2019ve ever seen!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cParadise and a gall named Eve! Don’t suppose for one minute it\u2019s her real name?\u201d Adam asked raising his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know about that,\u201d Pete replied, his lips curling up at the sides. \u201cBut she sure is tempting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHave you really been inside?\u201d Ross asked in admiration, trying to get into the conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think?\u201d Pete replied straightening his back and preening with pride. At nineteen he considered himself a man of the world in comparison to his younger friends and loved to give them the benefit of his experience.<\/p>\n \u201cMy mama\u2019s an angel in heaven, ain\u2019t she Adam?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice piped up, causing the older boys to nearly jump out of their skin.<\/p>\n \u201cSee I told you!\u201d Adam remonstrated, \u201clittle people have BIG ears.\u201d Then turning to Joe and bending to pat the little boy\u2019s head, he added. \u201cThe word is \u2018isn\u2019t\u2019 not \u2018ain\u2019t and your right Little Joe your mama is an angel, the best angel of them all.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked pleased with Adam\u2019s answer but his smile turned to a scowl as he turned back to face Marcie. \u201cYou\u2019re drinking all my sasprella,\u201d he rebuked. \u201cI want it back.\u201d<\/p>\n Marcie tightened her hold on the glass, whereupon an incensed Joe made a grab for it. The two children began a tug-of-war between them and needless to say the glass and the sarsaparilla ended up in the street. Marcie looked down forlornly as the last of the drink flowed from the glass and into the dirt, then with an indignant cry she drew back her hand and smacked Little Joe hard on the face.<\/p>\n Joe was taken aback. The small boy had often had his britches warmed, but no one had ever hit him on the face before. Not having had much to do with girls at this stage in his life, Joe had no compunction about retaliating the best way he knew how. Drawing back his foot he kicked out at his attacker and landed a heavy boot straight in Marcie\u2019s shin. A shocked Adam was just able to grab him by the seat of his pants and yank him from the ground before the little demon was able to repeat the action.<\/p>\n The little girl began to holler at the top of her voice and, alerted to her baby\u2019s cries, Mrs Darren emerged from a nearby shop and came running towards them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat on earth has happened?\u201d Mrs Darren cried, taking her small daughter into her arms.<\/p>\n \u201cH-h-he kicked me,\u201d wailed the child, pointing an accusing finger towards Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou hit me first,\u201d shouted back Little Joe, angry tears threatening to spill from his eyes.<\/p>\n Adam clasped a hand over Joe\u2019s mouth. \u201cI\u2019m really sorry Mrs Darren; Little Joe\u2019s got a bit of a temper on him. Pa\u2019s always on at him about it, but don\u2019t worry I\u2019ll see that he\u2019s punished.\u201d Then setting Joe back on the ground in front of mother and daughter, he demanded. \u201cApologise to Marcie, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she started it,\u201d declared the tot, his fists clenched tightly by his sides.<\/p>\n Embarrassed by his brother\u2019s rudeness Adam landed a heavy swat to Joe\u2019s rear end. Pete and Ross quickly covered their ears as this action had the undesirable result of both children starting to wail.<\/p>\n Mrs Darren reached over and stroked Little Joe\u2019s curls. \u201cOh Adam,\u201d she protested, \u201cthere was no need for that. Marcie can be a little madam when she wants to be and if Little Joe says she hit first then I\u2019m quite sure she did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven so Mrs Darren, Little Joe has to learn he can\u2019t go around hitting girls.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs Darren began to smile. \u201cThey\u2019re just babies Adam. In time Marcie will learn she can\u2019t go hitting people if she doesn\u2019t get her own way and I\u2019m certain Little Joe will turn into a proper little gentleman one day.\u201d<\/p>\n Marcie was used to being indulged and didn\u2019t take kindly to her mother\u2019s apparent rebuke. Her tears stopped and looking at Joe she stated, \u201cAnyway Little Joe tells lies, he says his Mama\u2019s an angel.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is so,\u201d Joe declared, his bottom lip beginning to tremble anew. \u201cMy Pa told me she was.\u201d<\/p>\n Mrs Darren\u2019s heart melted and setting Marcie on the ground she reached over and drew the little boy into her arms. Marie Cartwright had not been one of her close friends, but on the few occasions they had been together, they got on well. A number of people in town thought of Marie as anything but an angel, but there was no way she was going to deny this motherless boy the comfort he got from thinking of her so.<\/p>\n \u201cYour Mama is the most beautiful angel in heaven Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s enchanting smile returned to his face. \u201cEven more beautiful than Eve?\u201d he asked in all innocence.<\/p>\n Mrs Darren was at a loss. She looked at the older boys and raised her eyebrows in askance. All three shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads. Luckily for them Mrs Darren didn\u2019t scrutinise their faces too closely or she would have noticed the heightened colour in their cheeks and the furtive looks in their eyes.<\/p>\n With a farewell pat on his cheek, she whispered in his ear. \u201cYour Mama\u2019s the most beautiful of them all Little Joe, even Eve.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was delighted, but as mother and daughter walked away he couldn\u2019t resist sticking his tongue out at Marcie as she glared back in his direction.<\/p>\n Once his mother and sister had gone Pete breathed a sigh of relief, and turning to his friends he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWho\u2019s up for it then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUp for what?\u201d Ross asked.<\/p>\n Shaking his head and wrapping an arm round the younger boy\u2019s shoulder he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cA visit to the Pearly Gates!\u201d Then indicating towards Adam, he sneered. \u201cAfter all we can\u2019t let Cartwright here go off to college without getting a \u2018real\u2019 education before he leaves. What will those blue nosed Yankees think of our country boy if he arrives there still green?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, you can count me out,\u201d Adam quickly responded, casting a hasty look in Little Joe\u2019s direction to see if the little boy was listening to the conversation. \u201cAnd for your information I am a blue nosed Yankee.\u201d<\/p>\n Ross wasn\u2019t so reticent as his friend. \u201cAw come on Adam, we\u2019ve gotta have some fun before you go. Your always boasting about what a ladies man you are, well now\u2019s the time to prove it.\u201d<\/p>\n After a lot of coaxing, Adam\u2019s resolve began to wane. He really fancied having a look inside Paradise Lost and Miss Eve certainly intrigued him. After all, he reasoned, he didn\u2019t have to do anything; just to have been inside would be enough. Where was the harm in that? \u201cOkay then, I\u2019m in. When do we go?\u201d<\/p>\n With a gleam in his eye Pete gave last minute instructions, \u201cOkay Cartwright, I\u2019ll meet you and Ross on the outskirts of town about 8 o\u2019clock tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Adam had a chance to reply there came a bellow from behind, \u201cAdam for goodness sake, can\u2019t I trust you to watch your little brother for two minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam jumped to attention and quickly scanned behind him to look for his errant sibling. To his utter horror Joe was sat on the ground making mud pies out of dirt and spilt sarsaparilla. Ben shook his head in despair; his youngest child seemed to attract dirt like a cow attracted flies.<\/p>\n \u201cHi Pa,\u201d Joe enthused. \u201cWant an apple pie?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben did his best to avoid the outstretched hand and counted to ten in an attempt to get his temper under control. Turning on his elder son, he jabbed a finger into the young man\u2019s chest and declared. \u201cI hold you responsible for this. He was in your care, therefore your responsibility. There\u2019s no way I can take him round town with me now, so I suggest you get on your horse and take your little brother back to the ranch and get him cleaned up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAw Pa, you know I was going to go\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t let Adam finish. \u201cAw nothing. Is it too much to ask for you to keep an eye on him for just one hour? No argument Adam I will see you at home.\u201d Turning to Joseph he added, \u201cI will speak to you later young man. I specifically told you to be good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I was good Pa,\u201d Joe replied indignantly, then catching sight of his brother\u2019s raised eyebrow he remembered the Marcie incident and decided he would say no more.<\/p>\n As Ben stomped away, Adam grabbed hold of his little brother\u2019s arm and dragged him to his feet. \u201cSee what you\u2019ve done,\u201d he snarled, shaking the small boy harshly, \u201cNow I\u2019m going to have to take you home.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was unperturbed, \u201cI could make you a pie if you want\u201d he offered good-naturedly, smiling happily up at his eldest brother.<\/p>\n In the face of such innocence Adam couldn\u2019t hold onto his anger for long. Swinging the child up into his arms he tickled the small boy until he laughed uncontrollably. \u201cI think I\u2019ll pass on the pie little buddy, but maybe we should take one home for Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n **************<\/p>\n Ben was in a much better mood when he returned to the ranch just in time for supper. A freshly scrubbed Little Joe ran out to meet him dressed only in his nightshirt.<\/p>\n Picking up his youngest son, he playfully turned him over and swatted his backside.<\/p>\n \u201cOuch\u201d giggled Little Joe, pretending to be hurt. \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat young man,\u201d Ben began wiggling a finger in front of Joe\u2019s face, \u201cis for chasing the chickens into the house this morning and upsetting Hop Sing. And also for playing in the mud this afternoon when I expressly told you to be good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut I was good Pa. You never said anything about getting dirty.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben just shook his head. Experience should have told him his youngest son needed very specific instructions; otherwise there was no chance of him following orders.<\/p>\n As soon as supper was finished Adam excused himself. \u201cPa is it okay if I go over to Ross\u2019 house?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought for a minute and then acceded, nodding his head a little guiltily. After all Adam\u2019s rest day had not turned out as he planned. \u201cVery well Adam, but don\u2019t be too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure Pa,\u201d Adam replied, quickly strapping on his gun belt and reaching for his jacket before his father had time to change his mind.<\/p>\n Once outside Adam breathed a sigh of relief for he had not expected his Pa to agree so easily. As he saddled Sport a tremor of excitement ran down his spine. Tonight was going to be quite a night! If only he knew!!!<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n When supper was cleared away Ben sat contentedly reading the newspaper and smoking his pipe as his two younger children played together on the floor. Suddenly a small head poked underneath his paper and clambered up onto his lap.<\/p>\n Little Joe sat intrigued as Ben continued to puff on his pipe, his little hand reaching out and trying to grab at the smoke as it wafted towards the ceiling.<\/p>\n Ben hugged the small boy to him. Little Joe was obviously very sleepy and Ben was confident that once he was cuddled the child would only take but a few moments to fall asleep.<\/p>\n \u201cPa\u201d the little voice began. \u201cWhen can I go and see Mama in heaven?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put down his paper and pipe and hugged the child closer to him. A knife pierced Ben\u2019s heart as he thought about Marie, but it had been nearly nine months since her death and he was at last able to deal with Little Joe\u2019s never ending questions with regards to where his mother had gone.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Little Joe it will be a long, long time before you go to heaven, in fact you\u2019ll probably be very old.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMama wasn\u2019t old.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben swallowed hard. \u201cI know she wasn\u2019t old Joe, but she had an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Adam going to have an accident as well?\u201d<\/p>\n This was a new one on Ben. Why would the child connect Adam with accidents and heaven?<\/p>\n \u201cNo son don\u2019t you worry, Adam\u2019s not going to have an accident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why\u2019s he going to the Pearly Gates?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was aware of this expression from his Sunday morning visits to Church with his family. The minister often referred to the congregation meeting the Creator at the Pearly Gates of Heaven.<\/p>\n Ben was becoming more confused by the minute but decided to play along. \u201cWho\u2019s Adam going to meet at the Pearly Gates Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAn Angel,\u201d Joe declared, opening his eyes wide to emphasise the importance.<\/p>\n Turning to his middle son Ben asked, \u201cHoss do you have any idea what your brother is talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss shrugged his shoulders and continued to play with Joe\u2019s soldiers on the floor. \u201cNobody has said anything to me about no angel.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was intrigued. There must be a reason that Joe thought his elder brother was meeting an angel at the Pearly Gates. \u201cDoes this angel have a name Little Joe?\u201d he asked, but not really expecting an answer.<\/p>\n \u201cHer name\u2019s Eve and she\u2019s beautiful, but not as beautiful as Mama. Mrs Darren said so!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was nonplussed. Where on earth did Mrs Darren fit into all this and who was Eve? Little Joe\u2019s next words set alarm bells ringing in Ben\u2019s head and suddenly things started to fit into place.<\/p>\n \u201cPete said Eve\u2019s a fallen angel Pa. Does that mean she fell out of the sky?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPearly Gates and fallen angels,\u201d Ben muttered to himself through gritted teeth. \u201cI\u2019ll blister his hide when I get hold of him.\u201d<\/p>\n Glancing down and seeing that he was alarming Little Joe, Ben tried to calm his voice as he said, \u201cJoseph, Pa has to go out for a while. You and Hoss will stay here with Hop Sing; it\u2019s time you were in bed anyway. Now be good boys and Pa will see you in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was expecting Joe to make a fuss, but the little boy scampered off his knee and made his way towards the stairs. \u201cI\u2019ll go to bed right away Pa,\u201d he called over his shoulder as he ran quickly to his room.<\/p>\n A perplexed Ben gazed after him. There was just no figuring that child out. Looking at Hoss he asked, \u201cDo you know what\u2019s up with your little brother?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss began to chuckle, \u201cIt\u2019s cause you\u2019re leaving him with Hop Sing. You didn\u2019t tan him for this morning\u2019s mischief, but Hop Sing promised he would, so I guess he figures he\u2019ll be safer in bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour older brother won\u2019t get off quite so easily,\u201d Ben declared, leaving Hoss to ponder what on earth his \u2018goody two shoes\u2019 elder sibling could have done to get Pa so upset.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Pete met up with Ross and Adam on the outskirts of town. Handing Adam a bottle of whisky he cajoled, \u201cJust to give you a bit of Dutch courage, as I wouldn\u2019t want you to high tail and run before the fun starts.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need any Dutch courage,\u201d Adam declared with false bravado, but he took a couple of large swigs nevertheless.<\/p>\n Unaccustomed to hard liquor, Adam coughed as the whisky burned the back of his throat, but very soon the alcohol worked its magic and any misgivings he may have had about the evening ahead were pushed way to the back of his mind.<\/p>\n As darkness descended the three boys dismounted from their horses in front of the Paradise Lost establishment. During the ride into town they had managed to consume best part of a bottle of whisky between them and Adam took the opportunity to take one last gulp before stuffing the nearly empty bottle into his saddlebag.<\/p>\n Walking up to the entrance Pete looked back at his two comrades, before confidently pushing open the door and walking inside. Ross followed quickly behind.<\/p>\n Adam stood outside for a moment contemplating whether he was doing the right thing. Thoughts of his mother filled his head. His Pa had once told him his mother\u2019s favourite book had been Paradise Lost and because of that she had named him Adam. With a shake of his head Adam pushed the images of Elizabeth away; this was not the time and place to be thinking about his mother.<\/p>\n Minutes later the three friends stood open mouthed in the parlour of Paradise and with hats in hand they smiled shyly at the giggling girls in front of them.<\/p>\n One of the \u2018ladies\u2019 took stock of the handsome young men in front of her and before any of the others present could make a move she pointed at Adam and declared,<\/p>\n \u201cHands off girls, that one\u2019s mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Walking over to Adam she playfully reached up and stroked his cheek. \u201cWell hello there handsome. My names Eve and have I got a rosy apple for you! What\u2019s your name cutie?\u201d<\/p>\n Blushing to the roots of his hair, Adam haltingly replied. \u201cA-A-Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n With a hoot of laughter Eve took him by the hand and pulling him over to a chaise longue she giggled, \u201cSee I knew we were just meant for each other the moment I clapped eyes on you!\u201d<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n As Ben rode into Virginia City he turned and headed towards \u2018D\u2019 street, a part of the town he wouldn\u2019t normally frequent. He was hoping his suspicions about his eldest son\u2019s whereabouts were wrong, but as he entered the notorious street in question, the first thing he noticed was his son\u2019s horse tied up outside one of the more recently opened establishments.<\/p>\n Ben dismounted and walked over to Sport. Judging by the heat of the horse\u2019s haunches his son hadn\u2019t been in town for very long. As Ben went to turn away his eyes were drawn to the empty whisky bottle poking out of his wayward son\u2019s saddlebags. With a shake of his head Ben looked towards the entrance of Paradise Lost. Women and whisky; Adam certainly was living dangerously these days. Ben strode forward instinctively resting his hand on his belt, and as he did so he ruefully had to admit, what Adam had to fear most was a lot closer to home than he probably imagined.<\/p>\n Opening the front door and walking inside, Ben was surprised to find how well decorated the hallway appeared to be. The place was certainly not shabby in its decoration and as he looked around appreciatively the Madam of the house came over to greet him.<\/p>\n \u201cGood evening Sir, can I be of assistance?\u201d This was accompanied by a saucy wink and a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve reason to believe my son is here; young fellow, tall, with dark hair and eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I see,\u201d the woman responded, realising with some disappointment that Ben wasn\u2019t a potential customer after all. \u201cI think you\u2019ll find who you are looking for just through there.\u201d<\/p>\n As Ben made his way into the parlour he breathed a sigh of relief that Adam hadn\u2019t made his way upstairs yet. This whole episode was distressing enough and much as he was angry and upset at Adam\u2019s deceit he didn\u2019t want to embarrass his son anymore than he had to.<\/p>\n In lots of ways he could understand Adam wanting to experience the delights that were on offer; after all it was only natural that a boy on the cusp of manhood would want to sow a few wild oats. When Adam left home for college he would cease to be under his father\u2019s guidance and influence, that task falling to his maternal grandfather, but while he remained under age and under Ben\u2019s roof, his father felt it was his responsibility to instil in him the moral code that he himself lived by.<\/p>\n Adam was relaxing on the chaise longue, as Eve draped herself over the top of him, running her hands through his wavy black hair and whispering sweet nothings into his ear.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam honey I think it\u2019s time to make our way into the Garden of Eden. You ready to take a bite out of that apple and have some fun?\u201d<\/p>\n The whisky and the flattery had given Adam all the confidence he needed, not to mention his body\u2019s reaction to the attractive girl sprawled across his lap.<\/p>\n Running his tongue over his lips and trying hard to sound like a man of the world, Adam nuzzled into her neck and replied, \u201cI\u2019m ready and waiting beautiful angel, just lead me to the forbidden fruit.\u201d<\/p>\n With eyes closed, Adam felt warm breath next to his ear and smiled expectantly, but the low growl of his father\u2019s voice sent his mind into shock and his ardour quickly diminished.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can forget all about forbidden fruit and angels young man. It\u2019s time for you to meet your MAKER!!!\u201d<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n