Summary: The tragic events that devastate two families, bring them together once more twelve years later.<\/p>\n
Rated: K+ \u00a0WC 6300<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0What Fate Decrees<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In was just another Sunday afternoon picnic, in many ways no different from any other. The women chatted happily as they laid out blankets on the parched grass and emptied picnic baskets of their contents.<\/p>\n Hop Sing had done the Cartwright family proud. There were ham and beef sandwiches, chicken legs, meat pies, cookies and cake and to wash it all down, freshly made lemonade.<\/p>\n Her task finished, Marie Cartwright brushed stray blades of grass from her skirt before calling to her family to come and join her. Hoss, as expected, had been loitering close by and was the first to make an appearance. His mouth watered as he looked at the delicious spread and, not waiting for the others, he began to tuck in with gusto. Adam on the other hand was reluctant to leave the lakeside as he was enjoying skimming stones with Ross and a number of other boys. Much to his delight his last stone had bounced four times across the water before sinking to the bottom. But Adam knew better than to ignore his stepmother\u2019s call and, with a shrug of resignation to his friends, he climbed up the hill to his family.<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright had been assigned the task of looking after his youngest son while his wife set out their lunch, and as he talked with Paul Martin, the town doctor, Little Joe played happily close by.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on Little Joe, it\u2019s time to eat,\u201d Ben called to his youngest son, stretching out his hand towards the small boy.<\/p>\n Little Joe had other ideas. Instead of running towards his father, he turned heel and, as fast as his little legs could carry him, he ran in the opposite direction. Joe Cartwright may not be quite two years old but already his family likened him to a young jackrabbit, given the speed at which he could move.<\/p>\n Paul Martin chuckled to himself as Ben took off and gave chase. The Cartwright baby had made a very noisy and speedy entrance into the world and Dr Martin had no doubt he would continue to do so for a long time to come.<\/p>\n Ben was breathless and panting when he finally grabbed his toddler son by the back of his dress and lifted him into his arms. Joe was angry at being caught and started to kick and scream in an effort to be put down again. After a quick swat to his son\u2019s small backside, Ben wrapped one arm round Joe\u2019s middle while he used his other arm to hold still his flaying legs.<\/p>\n Ignoring the warning swat, Joe continued to struggle and shout. \u201cWant down Papa, want down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time to eat little man,\u201d Ben replied as he carried the squirming youngster over to his wife and literally dumped him into her lap. \u201cHe\u2019s all yours,\u201d he said with a shake of his head, relieved to pass over the burden.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s feisty demeanour changed immediately when confronted with his mother. Pushing his thumb into his mouth he looked up into her face with tear filled eyes. \u201cWanna play Mama,\u201d he said sadly hoping she would have a change of heart.<\/p>\n Cupping her baby\u2019s face between her hands, Marie kissed his button nose and admonished. \u201cOh you little demon, I know just what you are up to mon petite. Now you will stay here with Mama, eat your lunch and then you will have your nap.\u201d Ignoring Joe\u2019s scowls, Marie took a sandwich from the plate and put it into his hand. \u201cEat\u201d she demanded and only turned away when the child put the bread into his mouth.<\/p>\n Ben, Adam and Hoss hungrily tucked into the delicious fare and didn\u2019t stop until the plates were almost empty. \u201cBefore long you boys will be as big as your father,\u201d Marie declared, looking admiringly at her stepsons.<\/p>\n \u201cPa thinks I\u2019ll be bigger than him,\u201d Hoss stated proudly. \u201cAin\u2019t that right Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben tousled his eight-year old\u2019s blonde hair. \u201cIf you keep growing at this rate Hoss I don\u2019t think there will be a bigger man in the territory.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled in acknowledgement. He too was tall for his age, but at fourteen he was mature enough to concede that Hoss would overtake him in the not too distant future.<\/p>\n Not to be left out Little Joe jumped to his feet and tried to stand on his tiptoes in order to make himself appear taller than he was. \u201cMe big,\u201d he declared. \u201cMe bigger than Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Marie smiled at one other. Joe had been a premature baby and had not yet caught up with his peers. Dr Martin said there was no reason to believe that Joe would remain small for his age, he just needed that little extra time to catch up, but his parents didn\u2019t harbour any misapprehension that their youngest son was going to be as tall as his brothers.<\/p>\n Hoisting the little boy into his arms, Ben lifted him high above his head. \u201cYou will be the biggest of them all Little Joe,\u201d he acknowledged, to the delight of the toddler who was now reaching for the sky.<\/p>\n As Marie packed up the remains of the picnic, Adam and Hoss went back to play with their friends. Ben cradled a sleepy Little Joe in his arms and watched with fascination as the boisterous toddler of a few minutes ago, transformed into a sleeping baby sucking on his thumb.<\/p>\n Once he was sure that the tot would not awaken, Ben knelt down on the grass and waited for Marie to prepare a place to lay the baby down.<\/p>\n \u201cTake off his dress first,\u201d Marie whispered. Little Joe was just out of diapers, but he remained dry more out of luck than experience and Marie didn\u2019t want to take any chances with his new clothes.<\/p>\n Ben struggled with the little pearl buttons that ran down the front of the green dress that Joe was wearing. Marie took pity on him and with adept fingers she loosened the dress and pulled it from the small body. She quickly wrapped a blanket round her baby and made him comfortable on the ground before allowing her husband to pull her to her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cI counted this morning and there are at least ten more,\u201d Ben bemoaned.<\/p>\n \u201cTen more what?\u201d Marie asked in dismay.<\/p>\n \u201cTen more grey hairs,\u201d Ben declared, pulling the front of his hair forward and trying to take a look. \u201cI blame your son for this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOur son,\u201d Marie giggled. \u201cAnd you shouldn\u2019t complain, after all he takes after his father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn the contrary,\u201d Ben corrected, pulling his wife into his arms, \u201cthe child definitely has all the traits of his mother. He\u2019s wilful, disobedient, obstinate\u201d then looking down at his young wife his eyes twinkled as he added, \u201cand beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie blushed profusely and pulled herself from her husband\u2019s grasp. \u201cUnhand me sir,\u201d she whispered. \u201cEveryone is looking at us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet them look,\u201d Ben laughed. \u201cAfter all we are married.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie smiled her secret smile that always made Ben\u2019s heart race and said whimsically. \u201cMaybe this next baby will be a girl, then your hair really will turn grey.\u201d<\/p>\n At first Ben missed the implication of Marie\u2019s words and laughed out loud. \u201cOh don\u2019t say that woman. I wouldn\u2019t know a moments peace if I had a girl to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen maybe you should make the most of this carefree time,\u201d Marie replied.<\/p>\n The grin left Ben\u2019s face as her words finally began to penetrate. \u201cA-a-are you saying what I think you\u2019re saying?\u201d Ben asked, with a nervous tremor to his voice.<\/p>\n Marie giggled at his stricken face and nodded her head.<\/p>\n Ignoring Marie\u2019s protests, Ben pulled her once again into his arms and kissed her gently on the lips. \u201cThat\u2019s wonderful,\u201d he declared. \u201cWhen? I mean how far are you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDr Martin thinks I\u2019m nearly five months,\u201d Marie replied shyly bending her head and running her hand over her slightly protruding stomach.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me before?\u201d Ben reproached. \u201cYou should have been taking it easy, not running about after us all day.\u201d<\/p>\n Marie laughed off his concerns, \u201cDon\u2019t be silly Ben. Dr Martin thinks everything is all right this time and I didn\u2019t want to build your hopes up before I was sure of that. Anyway there\u2019s no need to fuss.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben smiled but the worry didn\u2019t leave his face. Marie had lost a baby before Joe was born and had been unable to conceive since his birth. The miscarriage had taken place very early into the pregnancy and so this time it may be that the dangerous period had passed, but Ben was a cautious man, especially where his family was concerned.<\/p>\n Sitting his young wife down and taking both her hands in his, Ben instructed. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear any argument from you young lady. From now until the baby is born, you will take it easy. Joseph Francis will have to get used to the idea that his Mama is not his playmate, or his horse.\u201d<\/p>\n At his last statement both Ben and Marie burst out laughing. Little Joe was obsessed with horses and, since he was too young to ride his own, he insisted that the family, and most especially Marie, ride him round on their backs while he \u2018giddy-upped\u2019 from one place to another.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n The Cartwrights were not the only family that day with something to celebrate. Matilda and Maurice Harding were celebrating their thirteenth wedding anniversary and also their youngest son Chad\u2019s fourth birthday. Chad Harding was a sensitive little boy and while the other children ran round and boisterously played games, he stayed close to his mother and played happily on his own.<\/p>\n On the other hand Michael Harding, Chad\u2019s older brother, was a very popular boy. At twelve years old he had already began to develop into the bright, friendly and athletic man he was likely to become. Not only was he good at games; he was charismatic and intelligent, mature beyond his years.<\/p>\n Matilda and Maurice were a hardworking couple and lived in a cottage on the outskirts of the Ponderosa. Matilda spent her day\u2019s dressmaking in order to bring home a few more coffers to the table, while Maurice took on any jobs offered, no matter how big or small. The family lived a very Christian life, working hard from Monday to Saturday, going to church on a Sunday. Many was the time that Maurice and his sons, met with Ben and his older sons, for a spot of fishing by the lake on a Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n As the Cartwrights\u2019 ate their lunch the Harding family ate theirs. The Harding\u2019s finished their meal with a small birthday cake that Matilda had baked that morning for Chad. The little boy was delighted and as he blew out his candles he thought he was the happiest boy in the world.<\/p>\n Once the meal was over Michael excused himself and went to join the older boys down by the lake.<\/p>\n Thirty minutes later something happened that was to change the lives of the two close nit families forever.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n The older boys became bored skimming stones across the water and decided to play something that would expend a bit more of their excess energy. Climbing to the top of the embankment the boys decided to play a game of tag. Petey had been the first one to chase the others, but he was very swift of foot and before long it was Toby\u2019s turn. Toby in turn tagged Michael and so the game continued. Mark Miller was Michael\u2019s target and he ran toward the boy at such a pace, that when Mark sidestepped out of the way, Michael was unable to stop and he careered over the embankment and into the lake below. All the boys started to whoop with glee. Michael was going to be the first of them to get wet. After all there was nothing to worry about, they were all good swimmers.<\/p>\n But when the children looked over the side, Michael was nowhere to be seen. Unknown to the puzzled boys, Michael had struck his head on a rock as he entered the water and was knocked unconscious. Petey Cummings was the first one to panic. Rushing back to where the picnic had taken place he garbled out his concerns to the Hardings. \u201cM-Michael fell in the water,\u201d he gasped. \u201cMr Harding, he didn\u2019t come back up.\u201d<\/p>\n Matilda and Maurice Harding took off running towards the water with little Chad following on behind as fast as he possibly could. Upon finding out where Michael had entered the water, Maurice jumped in and frantically swam out into the centre of the lake looking for his son and calling his name to no avail.<\/p>\n Maurice was not a strong swimmer but he wouldn\u2019t give up; his child\u2019s life was at stake. Matilda on the other hand often boasted about her swimming skills and on seeing her husband struggling in the water she jumped in to aid him in looking for their son. But Matilda had still been a child the last time she had swam in the lake and she hadn\u2019t had a heavy long dress and other attire encumbering her.<\/p>\n What had started as a beautiful Sunday afternoon turned into a tragedy! By the time the rest of the patrons at the picnic were aware that something was amiss it was already too late.<\/p>\n Families rushed to the embankment and Ben, together with three other men, dived into the water and headed towards the Harding family. It was all to no avail, poor Maurice was dead when they pulled his body to the water\u2019s edge and Matilda died shortly afterwards. The men continued to search and eventually Michael was found. The young boy was dead when they brought him to the surface.<\/p>\n As the heartbreak unfolded Marie looked around her in dismay. \u201cWhere is the little one,\u201d she screamed, hardly daring to think that another tragedy could occur. Ben looked round in horror, but as Marie was clutching their own baby to her breast, he knew she must be referring to the youngest Harding child.<\/p>\n After a quick search it was found that Chad was not on the embankment. Another of the boys had seen him earlier when his father had been brought from the water, but not since. It suddenly struck the assembled crowd that the child could have entered the water in an attempt to help his family. Not waiting to catch his breath, Ben dived once again into the murky depths and swam back to the place where Matilda had first entered the water. Ben was at a loss as to what to do, but he didn\u2019t give up. Diving down again and again he was about to return to dry land when his fingers grasped hold of a child\u2019s body and he held on as best he could. With the last of his strength, Ben swam back to the awaiting arms of his neighbours and handed the lifeless body to Dr Martin.<\/p>\n Chad Harding was by all intents and purposes dead. His little chest showed no signs of rising and his face was so pale he looked ghostlike. But Dr Martin didn\u2019t give up on him. The water had undoubtedly claimed three lives that day and he didn\u2019t want this child to be its fourth.<\/p>\n Marie Cartwright and the surrounding women sobbed uncontrollably at the terrible end of a once happy day. Little Joe whimpered in his mother\u2019s arms, not knowing what was happening, but becoming distressed at the obvious upset around him.<\/p>\n Adam stood transfixed, unable to tear his eyes from the lifeless body of little Chad Harding. Already Adam\u2019s young life had been blighted by misfortune and heartbreak but with each new tragedy it didn\u2019t get any easier to bear. Hoss clung to his older brother in terror. At eight years old he was already aware of the finality of death but this was the first time he had ever been a witness at close hand that he could recall.<\/p>\n Ben put all other needs aside and went to the aid of his family. Ushering his older sons away from the scene, he took Little Joe from his mother\u2019s arms and, as he cradled the weeping tot over his shoulder, he wrapped his other arm round his grief stricken wife.<\/p>\n Once he had settled his family into the buckboard, Ben returned to the waterside to see if there was any further assistance he could give. To his utter amazement little Chad Harding had started breathing and the colour was returning to his face.<\/p>\n \u201cI want my Mama,\u201d the little tot whimpered as soon as he had breath to speak. Everyone\u2019s heart ached. How do you tell a four year old that his family was no more?<\/p>\n Several of the men volunteered to assist in the taking of the Harding bodies to the undertaker and Paul Martin and his wife offered to take care of Chad; after all it made sense, as he would need the doctor\u2019s assistance over the next few days.<\/p>\n That night yet another tragedy occurred. The upset of the day had taken its toll on the young mother and Marie felt the first tell tale signs of miscarriage as sharp pains made her double up as she bathed Little Joe for bed. At first she said nothing to Ben, hoping against hope that the pains would subside, but by the time Little Joe was tucked into his cradle she knew for certain she was losing her baby.<\/p>\n Once he realised what was happening a concerned Ben had wanted to go for the doctor, but a tearful Marie convinced him it was too late; she had already started bleeding and there was nothing the doctor could do, her contractions were coming regularly and no matter what, the baby was too young to survive.<\/p>\n Long into the night Ben sat at his wife\u2019s side and held her hand, stroking her sweat soaked hair away from her face as she writhed on the bed in agony, weeping for the much wanted baby that was now been expelled from her body. In the early hours a perfectly formed, but premature, baby girl was born to Marie and Ben, but sadly she died without ever having taken her first breath.<\/p>\n *******<\/p>\n 31 July 1856<\/p>\n Joe Cartwright was enjoying the sunshine. He lay on his back; eyes closed, and allowed the warmth of the sun to send him into a dreamlike state as he slumbered by the lake. It was Friday afternoon, school was out, his chores were done and his Pa was away from the ranch for the next few days. With his bare feet dangling close to the water, Joe had tied his fishing line to his toe so he would be alerted if the fish decided to bite, but in reality he didn\u2019t care if he went home empty handed.<\/p>\n Dreaming of the new girl at school, Joe was oblivious of everything else around him, until his toe jerked and he sat bolt upright with a start. Dazed and groggy he looked down at his feet, expecting to see his fishing rod bending into the water, but instead what he saw was a young boy not much older than himself.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you do that?\u201d Joe accused, feeling tetchy at the way he had been awoken.<\/p>\n \u201cYep\u201d the boy replied and started to laugh.<\/p>\n Joe\u2019s bad mood didn\u2019t last long. Looking up at the other boy he questioned. \u201cWhere did you come from? I ain\u2019t seen you round here before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh I used to live in the cottage back there when I was little, but at the moment I\u2019m visiting with my Uncle Paul. He\u2019s the doctor here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDr Martin\u2019s your uncle?\u201d Joe queried.<\/p>\n \u201cWell sort of,\u201d the boy replied. \u201cI\u2019ve always called him uncle, but really he\u2019s no relation.\u201d Then changing the subject he affirmed. \u201cYou must be one of the Cartwright boys.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo they say,\u201d Joe chuckled. \u201cBut you better not let my brothers hear you calling them boys.\u201d Smiling Joe reached out his hand, \u201cThe name\u2019s Little Joe by the way. How about you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy name\u2019s Chad Harding. I used to know your family.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shrugged his shoulders; the name meant nothing to him. He\u2019d never heard his Pa mention the Harding family. \u201cYou staying with Dr Martin long?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA couple of weeks I guess,\u201d Chad replied. \u201cThen I\u2019ll be going home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s home?\u201d Joe questioned, but Chad chose not to answer.<\/p>\n The two boys spent the rest of the afternoon together and by the end of the day they were already firm friends. As they went their separate ways they made arrangements to meet up again the next afternoon, providing Joe could get away from his brothers.<\/p>\n That night at supper Joe told Adam and Hoss about his new friend.<\/p>\n \u201cHe says he used to live round here, Adam\u201d Joe informed his eldest brother.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s his name?\u201d Adam queried. \u201cAnd don\u2019t speak with your mouth full.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe rolled his eyes in Hoss\u2019 direction and made sure to swallow his food before continuing.<\/p>\n \u201cHis name\u2019s Chad Harding and he calls Dr Martin, Uncle Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Hoss stopped eating and looked at each other, memories of that fateful day twelve years before, flooding back to them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Joe asked. \u201cI didn\u2019t have any food in my mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s all right Joe,\u201d Adam said distractedly. \u201cJust finish your supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know him then?\u201d Joe persisted, not wanting to let the subject drop.<\/p>\n \u201cI was friends with his older brother,\u201d Adam acknowledged, but still not saying anymore.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe his brother is visiting with Dr Martin as well,\u201d Joe declared. \u201cI\u2019ll ask him when I meet up with him tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour gonna have to tell him,\u201d Hoss stated simply. \u201cIt\u2019s best he knows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me what?\u201d Joe asked in exasperation. He hated it when his brothers kept secrets from him. It made him feel like a baby, not old enough to be trusted with the truth.<\/p>\n Adam had not thought about that day for a long time, but now the memories were so fresh it could all have happened yesterday.<\/p>\n Leaving the table and going over to sit on the settee, Adam beckoned for Joe to join him. As Joe sat silent, Adam reiterated as gently as he could the happenings of that day so long ago. When he finished, Joe sat in silence. Since losing his mother when he wasn\u2019t quite five years old, Joe had only just come to terms with the irrational fear he harboured of losing other members of his family. To know that Chad had lost all his family in one day brought Joe\u2019s fears to the surface once more and he could feel the panic building in him at the thought of his father being away.<\/p>\n \u201cHe lost his whole family?\u201d Joe asked, as if maybe he had misunderstood what Adam was telling him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right Joe,\u201d Adam said quietly, thinking to himself that Joe was now the same age he had been when the tragedy occurred.<\/p>\n \u201cHow come I can\u2019t remember anything about it?\u201d Joe asked, thinking this was something he would never have forgot.<\/p>\n \u201cYou were only a baby Short Shanks,\u201d Hoss chipped in. \u201cand\u2026\u2026well Pa don\u2019t like to talk about that day\u201d.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s heart missed a beat. How would Pa react to the sudden arrival of little Chad Harding? He was sure his Pa would be happy to see the boy again, but it was bound to bring back other heart-rending memories. Ben and Marie had never spoken of the baby they lost, but Adam had heard Marie\u2019s anguished cries long into the night and it had transported him back in time to the birth of Hoss eight years before. The day after the tragic events Dr Martin had arrived at the Ponderosa and ordered Marie to stay in bed. At fourteen years of age, Adam was worldly enough to piece together what had happened, but he kept his own counsel, knowing instinctively not to intrude.<\/p>\n In comparison to Adam at that age, Little Joe was far from worldly; he was young and sensitive and had a tendency to take things to heart. This sensitively wasn\u2019t long in manifesting itself into concern for Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen did Pa say he would be home?\u201d Joe asked, the anxiety beginning to show in his voice.<\/p>\n Adam was well used to Joe\u2019s irrational fears over the years and tried to reassure him that all was well.<\/p>\n \u201cPa will be home the day after tomorrow Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if something hap\u2026\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss cut him off in mid sentence. \u201cNow don\u2019t start that again Little Joe. Pa\u2019s fine. He\u2019s only gone to Placerville for a meeting of the Cattlemen\u2019s Association. There\u2019s no need for you to worry your head about nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe went reluctantly to bed that evening and just as Adam expected, his bedroom door opened just after midnight and Joe came sheepishly in, wearing only his nightshirt.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, can I talk to you for a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure Joe,\u201d Adam called back sleepily; somehow knowing this was going to be a long night.<\/p>\n As was usual, Joe climbed up onto Adam\u2019s bed and as he made himself comfortable he inched his feet under the bedclothes in an effort to keep warm in the cold night air. It was a while before Joe started to speak and Adam didn\u2019t have to be told what was praying on the boy\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m meeting up with Chad tomorrow afternoon Adam and I don\u2019t know what to say to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn what way Little Joe? Just talk to him about things that boys talk about. School! Girls! Mischief! You shouldn\u2019t have much difficulty in that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeh, but what should I say about his family? Should I say I\u2019m sorry, or what?\u201d Joe asked stifling a yawn and sliding further down under Adam\u2019s covers.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no need to say anything Joe. I\u2019m sure if Chad wants to talk about it he will bring up the subject. He was only four years old when it happened, he probably doesn\u2019t have that much memory of the events themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho pulled him out of the water Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was Pa,\u201d Adam replied with pride. \u201cHe wouldn\u2019t give up, even when everyone else thought there was no point in continuing.\u201d<\/p>\n By now Joe was lying down, Adam\u2019s covers pulled up to his chin. \u201cHey Joe,\u201d Adam chided. \u201cTime to go back to your own bed buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n But Joe wasn\u2019t listening he was fast asleep. \u201cTypical\u201d Adam thought. \u201cThe kid falls asleep at the drop of a hat.\u201d Pushing his brother further along the bed Adam snuggled down next to him and reflected to himself how like old times it was. \u201cJust hope he\u2019s grown out of peeing the bed,\u201d Adam chuckled before falling off to sleep himself.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Joe and Chad spent the next few days\u2019 together, fishing, riding and generally just hanging out. At times Chad became very quiet and stood looking at the water as if he was in a trance. Joe felt uncomfortable at those times and wondered if the other boy was thinking of his family.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna have to go,\u201d Joe told his friend as they rode back from the lake.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? It\u2019s not supper time.\u201d Chad queried.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just my Pa\u2019s coming home this afternoon,\u201d Joe enthused and then felt guilty for having a Pa when Chad didn\u2019t. Joe was used to being one of the only kids in the school that only had one parent, he couldn\u2019t imagine what it would feel like not to have any.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat you doing tomorrow?\u201d Chad asked. \u201cDo you wanna go fishing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeh that\u2019ll be great,\u201d Joe called over his shoulder as he rode home. \u201cI\u2019ll see you at the lake about lunchtime.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright was surprised to find himself almost knocked off his feet when he dismounted from his horse later that afternoon. Hugging his youngest son to him he declared.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s quite a welcome home Little Joe; I\u2019ve only been gone three days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know Pa,\u201d Little Joe agreed, a big grin on his face. \u201cJust glad to see you that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben raised his eyebrows at his eldest son who was standing behind Little Joe. \u201cWhat\u2019s up with Joe?\u201d he was secretly asking, but Adam just mouthed \u2018I\u2019ll tell you later\u2019 and Ben had to be satisfied with that.<\/p>\n It was obvious to Ben that something had triggered off Joe\u2019s old fears and he didn\u2019t object when Joe insisted on accompanying him everywhere he went for the first few hours after his arrival.<\/p>\n Later that evening when Ben and Adam were finally alone, Ben broached the subject of his youngest son\u2019s anxiety.<\/p>\n Adam watched closely for his father\u2019s reaction. \u201cChad Harding is staying with Dr Martin. Him and Little Joe have become friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChad Harding!\u201d Ben repeated softly. It had been so many years. He had often wondered how the child had fared after the accident. Paul Martin had made arrangements for the boy to live with his father\u2019s brother and his wife over in Placerville.<\/p>\n \u201cHow is the boy?\u201d Ben asked, trying hard not to dwell on the painful memories that the mention of Chad\u2019s name had resurrected. \u201cHe must be getting quite grown up by now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe he\u2019s sixteen,\u201d Adam replied. \u201cI haven\u2019t met him yet, but Joe intends to bring him to supper tomorrow evening, so I guess we\u2019ll get to meet him then.\u201d<\/p>\n Long after Adam had retired, Ben sat gazing into the fire, a glass of brandy in his hand. It was hard to believe that twelve years had passed since that fateful day. The week after the tragedy had certainly been hard for everyone. Dr Martin had contacted Maurice Harding\u2019s brother and he had come at once to make the funeral arrangements and to look after the little boy.<\/p>\n Marie and Ben had at first put their own troubles to one side, but in the weeks that followed they had grieved together for the loss of their child. Baby Sarah (named for Ben\u2019s mother) had never taken breath, but that did not lesson the love they harboured for her.<\/p>\n Up until her own death three years later, Marie had appeared content and happy with her lot, but Ben knew that deep down she still mourned for her daughter and also for the fact that she was never able to conceive again.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Chad\u2019s first visit to the Cartwright home was disturbing for all those concerned except for Little Joe. As Joe had no memory of Chad he was not prepared for his family\u2019s reaction to him.<\/p>\n The small timid boy of twelve years ago had turned into an exact double of his dead brother. Not only did he closely resemble Michael, but he also had his mannerisms and easy smile.<\/p>\n Ben coughed and tried to mask his surprised expression. \u201cSo good to see you again Chad,\u201d he exclaimed, holding out his hand to shake that of the young man.<\/p>\n Once they were reacquainted and the shock of Chad\u2019s appearance had worn off, they passed a pleasant evening together. Chad talked about a number of families that had lived in Virginia City at the same time as his family and Ben and Adam were amazed at the boy\u2019s memory. After all he had only been four years old when he had left the town.<\/p>\n Over the next few weeks Joe and Chad tried to spend time with each other almost every day, but as the anniversary of his family\u2019s death drew near, the carefree boy of the earlier weeks disappeared. Chad\u2019s moods began to change and he became quiet and sullen, often sitting staring into the lake for hour after hour. Joe didn\u2019t know how to deal with the new Chad and it worried him to see his friend so disturbed.<\/p>\n On the 12 August, just the day before the anniversary of the tragic accident, Joe found Chad sitting looking into the water with tears streaming down his face. Unsure what to do, Joe sat down next to his friend and waited for him to regain his composure.<\/p>\n Eventually Chad wiped his eyes and turning to Joe he asked, \u201cDo you believe in fate?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFate\u201d Joe repeated. \u201cI\u2019m not sure what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat some things are meant to be\u201d Chad explained. \u201cI think God has a plan for us all, but sometimes things happen to change that plan. But if it\u2019s our fate it will still happen. It may not be that day or the next, but in the end if it was meant to be it\u2019s meant to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe bit on his bottom lip and tried to make sense of what Chad was saying. \u201cYou mean that when your times up, your times up.\u201d<\/p>\n Chad smiled. \u201cWell I guess so. But sometimes man intervenes and your fate is delayed, but the delay can\u2019t be put off forever.\u201d<\/p>\n A silence developed between the boys. Joe didn\u2019t really comprehend what Chad was trying to tell him and Chad seemed to want to be alone. Feeling as if he was intruding Joe made his excuses and returned home, promising to meet with Chad the following day.<\/p>\n The 13 August dawned a gloriously sunny day and Ben and Adam left shortly after breakfast to go into Virginia City for a meeting with the School Board. Hoss was left in charge but he had his work cut out for him trying to keep Little Joe in line.<\/p>\n After a hot sweaty morning tidying the barn, Joe was chewing at the bit. \u201cAw come on Hoss, let me go fishing. I promised to meet Chad down by the lake, if I don\u2019t hurry he\u2019ll think I\u2019m not coming and go home.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss was always a sucker for Joe\u2019s puppy dog eyes. \u201cOh go on get going. I\u2019ll finish your chores, but just make sure you\u2019re home in time for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe whooped with glee. \u201cThanks Hoss, I owe you. Don\u2019t worry, I won\u2019t be late and I might even bring our supper home with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss laughed at Joe\u2019s retreating back and returned to the stuffy barn to finish off what Joe had started.<\/p>\n *********<\/p>\n Joe knew as soon as he entered the house that evening that he was in trouble. He hadn\u2019t meant to be late but it was too late now to turn back the clock.<\/p>\n A worried Ben strode to the door and grabbed Joe roughly by the arm, almost before Joe had time to enter.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere do you think you have been young man?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n \u201cI-I-I was at the lake with Chad Pa,\u201d Joe responded, totally taken aback by his father\u2019s aggressive manner.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t lie to me boy,\u201d Ben shouted. \u201cI won\u2019t tolerate lying in this house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not lying Pa,\u201d Joe responded quickly.<\/p>\n Ben raised his hand and looked for a second as if he might strike the boy. Adam was quick to intervene and got between his little brother and father. Pulling Joe away from his father\u2019s grasp he said gently.<\/p>\n \u201cLook Pa, I know you were worried\u2026\u2026well we all were. But Joe\u2019s all right. Let\u2019s just hear what he has to say.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was frightened and confused. He had been late for supper on many occasions, but this was the first time his Pa had reacted the way he did.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s happened Adam?\u201d Joe asked meekly, keeping safely behind his big brother and away from his Pa.<\/p>\n Adam led Joe over to the settee and sat him down. Bending down in front of him he said as tenderly as he could. \u201cChad Harding\u2019s body was pulled from the lake today Joe. When you didn\u2019t arrive home for supper\u2026..well Pa\u2026and Hoss and me too…we were real worried about you. Sheriff Coffee thinks Chad may have commit suicide.\u201d<\/p>\n Tears instantly sprang to Joe\u2019s eyes. \u201cB-b-but I was with him this afternoon Adam. We sat by the lake and he said he was going away and wouldn\u2019t be coming back. He came to say goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben turned angrily towards his son. \u201cDon\u2019t lie to me Little Joe. Especially about something like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe started to cry in earnest. \u201cI\u2019m not lying Pa, I did see Chad this afternoon. He said I was to give you a message.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat message?\u201d Hoss asked gently. He hated to see his little brother so upset.<\/p>\n \u201cH-h-he said to tell Pa not to grieve anymore, he said that Marie and Sarah were together and were happy. And that\u2019s why I was so late. When he mentioned Mama, I just felt I had to visit her grave.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe found himself being yanked to his feet. \u201cHOW DARE YOU,\u201d Ben shrieked. \u201cWhat kind of joke is this?\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked at his father in complete disbelief. \u201cI don\u2019t understand Pa,\u201d he sobbed. \u201cChad said you would know what he meant, he kept saying it was what fate decreed.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben released his son and was at once contrite. Wrapping his arms round his weeping son, he hugged him tightly to his chest and whispered over and over again. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, I\u2019m sorry, please forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe was inconsolable. \u201cI should have stayed with him Pa. He\u2019s being acting so funny the last few days; I should have known he was going to do something awful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere was nothing you could have done son,\u201d Ben soothed, the anger and fear inside him gone, now that Joe was safe. \u201cNothing at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut maybe if I hadn\u2019t left him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben swallowed hard before replying. \u201cIt was already too late, Little Joe. Maybe even twelve years too late.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean Pa? I should have made him come home with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben tried to smile, he didn\u2019t understand what he was about to say himself, how would Joe comprehend? \u201cLike I say Joe it was already too late. Chad Harding\u2019s body was pulled from the lake this morning!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n The End.<\/p>\n