Exasperated by Little Joe’s behavior, Adam launches into an all-out tirade detailing his brother’s many character flaws.\u00a0 Ben’s efforts to keep tempers from flaring between his two sons are sidelined when there’s a sudden accident.\u00a0 Rating T, WC 17,710<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Just the Way You Are<\/strong><\/p>\n *** Don\u2019t go changing to try and please me.\u00a0 You never let me down before.\u00a0 And don\u2019t imagine you\u2019re too familiar and I don\u2019t see you anymore.\u00a0 I would not leave you in times of trouble.\u00a0 We never could have come this far.\u00a0 I took the good times, I\u2019ll take the bad times.\u00a0 I take you just the way you are.\u00a0 I said I love you, that\u2019s forever.\u00a0 And this, I promise from the heart.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t love you any better.\u00a0 I love you just the way you are. *** (Excerpt from song, \u201cJust the Way You Are\u201d lyrics by Billy Joel.)<\/p>\n Ben Cartwright had a long and frustrating day and wanted nothing more than to walk inside the Ponderosa ranch house and warm himself in front of the grand fireplace.\u00a0 He had just returned from a trip to Virginia City where he had argued with the owner of the mercantile over a delayed shipment of machinery.\u00a0 It had been ordered over a month ago and he needed the equipment for the new sawmill that was being built on the ranch.\u00a0 After addressing his concerns with Frank Keller and having been promised that everything would arrive in the next few days, Ben had taken his close friend Sheriff Roy Coffee to the International House Hotel for lunch.\u00a0 That had been the only pleasant part of his long day thus far.\u00a0 Afterwards there was a meeting with the local bank president and contracts that had needed to be signed waiting for him over at his attorney\u2019s office.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Hoss called to his father as he rounded the dining room and spotted the man standing there at the front door.\u00a0 \u201cEverything go okay?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben let out a tired sigh as he shrugged out of his coat and stared over at his middle boy.\u00a0 It had only taken one quick look at Hoss\u2019 face to know that the big man had something on his mind.<\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2013 it was a frustrating afternoon, but I guess I straightened out a few things, Hoss,\u201d he smiled and gave the boy a pat to his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThat fireplace looks mighty inviting right about now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on and sit down, Pa,\u201d Hoss nodded as he watched his father rolling up his holster and setting it on top of the credenza.<\/p>\n Ben tossed his hat on the rack next to the door and turned and walked into the living room alongside his son.\u00a0 He let out a comfortable sigh the minute that his body conformed to the cushions of his red leather chair.\u00a0 Ben watched as Hoss settled down on the settee and stared hesitantly over at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m almost afraid to ask,\u201d Ben announced.\u00a0 \u201cAre those two brothers of yours still at each other\u2019s throats?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Hoss sighed as he wearily shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cAnd they really went overboard today.\u00a0 Adam cuffed Joe but fortunately I\u2019d just ridden up to the mill about a minute after they went at it.\u00a0 I was able to keep Little Joe from sending a punch of his own.\u00a0 Then Adam rode off.\u00a0 He told me that he\u2019d had enough of Joe for one day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThose two!\u201d Ben let out an aggravated groan.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was it this<\/em><\/strong> time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGosh, I don\u2019t know, Pa!\u201d Hoss replied and threw his hands in the air.\u00a0 \u201cI guess my little brother didn\u2019t do what Adam wanted \u2013 or didn\u2019t do it fast enough.\u00a0 Neither one of them would tell me when I asked.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat and stared in the direction of the front door.\u00a0 \u201cAlright \u2013 where are those two?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Adam has been up in his room since he got back and Joe \u2013 well I ain\u2019t seen him.\u00a0 He\u2019s probably off brooding about what happened today.\u201d<\/p>\n Closing his eyes Ben thought on the way that his youngest and eldest sons had been behaving lately.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t as though those two boys of his ever spent much time trying to understand each other, but lately they seemed to be having an all-out war of personalities brewing.\u00a0 Ben had spoken to both of his sons separately and had done his best to try to get them to ease up on one another, but evidently those lectures had been of none effect.<\/p>\n Witnessing the look of exasperation spreading across Hoss\u2019 face, Ben knew that his middle boy was growing tired of being the voice of reason whenever he spotted his brothers going after each other.\u00a0 He leaned over and placed a commiserative hand on his arm and said, \u201cHoss \u2013 I\u2019m so sorry you\u2019ve had to play referee for the past couple of weeks while your brothers have kept this feud of theirs going.\u00a0 I know it\u2019s not been easy on you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Hoss sighed and directed his gaze on the floor.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m used to Adam and Joe arguing but now it\u2019s an everyday occurrence, Pa.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what would\u2019ve happened if I hadn\u2019t been there at the mill today. Isn\u2019t there anything you can do to stop them?\u201d<\/p>\n Standing from his chair, Ben reached for the poker and rotated the top piece of firewood just to have something to do other than wringing his hands.\u00a0 He thought about the question Hoss had posed and tried to come up with a solution to the problem.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve asked both of them what\u2019s going on and neither has told me what started the argument weeks ago.\u00a0 Of course, Adam says it\u2019s because Joe doesn\u2019t work as hard as he does and Joseph just says Adam won\u2019t get off his back.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss stood and joined his father in front of the fireplace, placing a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry that I had to drop all this on you the minute you got home, Pa.\u00a0 You look like you\u2019ve had a tough day yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEric \u2013 Hoss \u2013 Cartwright,\u201d Ben smiled warmly at his son.\u00a0 \u201cWhy couldn\u2019t I have had three boys all like you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShucks, Pa,\u201d Hoss chuckled, \u201cthat would\u2019ve been boring, wouldn\u2019t it?\u00a0 My brothers keep things stirred up around here.\u00a0 One thing\u2019s for sure \u2013 there\u2019s never a dull moment!\u00a0 But you wouldn\u2019t want it any differently.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt the present moment I would,\u201d Ben responded with an insistent nod of his head.\u00a0 \u201cAlright,\u201d he groaned again.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I\u2019ll go up and address the situation with Adam.\u00a0 Later I\u2019ll talk to your little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood luck, Pa,\u201d Hoss called and watched as his father moved over to the staircase.<\/p>\n Adam wasn\u2019t surprised to hear the knock on his bedroom door nor the call of his name.\u00a0 He surmised that his father would have something to say about what had happened up at the mill.\u00a0 Standing from his drafting table, Adam walked to the door and opened it.<\/p>\n \u201cMind if I come in?\u201d Ben asked. an uncomfortable smile on his lips.<\/p>\n Adam simply nodded as his father walked inside his bedroom and sat down in the chair next to the window.<\/p>\n \u201cI know why you\u2019re here, Pa \u2013 and I just don\u2019t want to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben frowned and responded, \u201cWell, I do.\u00a0 Now \u2013 what\u2019s going on with you and your little brother?\u00a0 Hoss said you cuffed the boy earlier.\u00a0 Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s right I did,\u201d Adam nodded, frustration in his tone of voice as he took a seat back in front of his drafting table and lifted a pencil in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2013 I\u2019m going over these plans \u2013 so it\u2019s not the best time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Well, do I need to schedule an appointment with you so we can discuss what\u2019s going on and why you hit your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat \u2013 did the kid cry on your shoulder as usual?\u201d Adam fired back.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t seen Joseph since breakfast.\u00a0 Hoss told me about it when I got in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI barely hit him \u2013 he deserved a lot more than a cuff as you called it, Pa!\u00a0 That boy never does what he\u2019s supposed to.\u201d<\/p>\n Clearing his throat, Ben studied his son\u2019s face trying to determine what had set him off.\u00a0 \u201cJust what did Joseph do today that riled you up?\u00a0 And why did you hit him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI should\u2019ve hauled off and knocked him to the ground \u2013 but I showed more restraint than I should have.\u00a0 Two of the hands who were supposed to be up at the mill setting the foundation posts never showed up leaving me shorthanded.\u00a0 And that baby son of yours didn\u2019t bother to get there until after one o\u2019clock!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it sounds to me like you getting angry with Joseph today is due to something other than his failure to show up at the mill on time.\u00a0 Now \u2013 come on — what\u2019s got you so all-fired mad with the boy?\u00a0 And Joseph wouldn\u2019t appreciate you calling him my baby son<\/em><\/strong> by the way!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how he acts,\u201d Adam insisted and angrily tossed his pencil down on top of the table.<\/p>\n \u201cHe puts in a hard day\u2019s work \u2013 just like you do, Son.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI figured you\u2019d say that, Pa!\u00a0 You always defend that kid\u2019s actions no matter how atrocious they are.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, just a minute,\u201d Ben returned sternly as he stood from the chair and approached his eldest.\u00a0 He placed a hand onto his son\u2019s shoulder and continued.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph might fail to show up on time but once he does, he works just as hard as anyone else on this ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat kid\u2019s always had you wrapped around his little finger,\u201d Adam muttered shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, what\u2019s eating at you?\u201d Ben questioned, and this time there was a softness in his tone.\u00a0 It was easy to see that his son was upset about much more than Joe arriving late that afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a job to do and I need responsible workers to get it done.\u00a0 It\u2019s bad enough that we have some irresponsible hired hands but Little Joe is even worse!\u00a0 And when he did finally show up he smarted off to me as usual!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat exactly did you say to the boy?\u00a0 Was there a reason that Joe responded the way that he did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t turn this around on me, Pa.\u00a0 I asked him where he was and he said it wasn\u2019t any of my business.\u00a0 And he just stood there with a smirk on his face!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, then you cuffed him like Hoss said?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah \u2013 and it\u2019s a good thing Hoss was there, or it wouldn\u2019t have gone well for that kid!\u00a0 I would have gone after him a whole lot worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben dropped his hand onto his son\u2019s arm and gave it a slight squeeze trying to redirect his gaze so he could read what was in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, here lately the two of you boys seem to be at each other\u2019s throats almost every day.\u00a0 Tell me what\u2019s going on and why you\u2019ve been so upset.\u00a0 It\u2019s not just a case of Joseph not showing up on time today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t like him,\u201d Adam announced bluntly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 You don\u2019t like your brother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I don\u2019t like him.\u00a0 I\u2019ve grown tired of watching the way he acts and witnessing everything that you allow him to get away with around here!\u00a0 And it\u2019s not that I don\u2019t know how you feel about him \u2013 so it shouldn\u2019t surprise me that you let him do whatever he feels like.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat exactly does that mean?\u201d Ben continued, still trying his best to get to the bottom of the reason why his eldest was so upset.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Pa — you know!\u00a0 He\u2019s the fair-haired child \u2013 the one you\u2019ve always doted on.\u00a0 And he\u2019s spoiled rotten \u2013 and you\u2019re the one who spoiled him!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood there shaking his head, surprised by the fact that Adam was being so brusque in his remarks.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t have a favorite son \u2013 and you know it!\u201d He protested insistently, upset by what his son had accused him of.<\/p>\n Adam let out an ironic laugh as he stood from his chair and walked over to the window.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Pa \u2013 Hoss and I both know that Little Joe\u2019s your favorite!\u00a0 I guess it\u2019s like they say \u2013 the squeaky wheel gets the most oil.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust what has Joseph done to you that\u2019s made you so irate, Adam?\u00a0 Talk straight with me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just like I told you a minute ago \u2013 I don\u2019t like him.\u00a0 Yes, he\u2019s my brother \u2013 but that\u2019s just the way I feel about him now.\u00a0 He\u2019s always in trouble but you always defend his actions.\u00a0 You\u2019ve spoiled him \u2013 and that\u2019s why he gets far more leeway than you ever gave Hoss or me when we were his age.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve made him pull his own weight around here.\u00a0 You can\u2019t say that he hasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure \u2013 he does \u2013that is when he feels like it!\u00a0 He knew that he was supposed to be up at the mill right after breakfast.\u00a0 I told him this morning right before I left.\u00a0 But no, he showed up when he felt like it!\u00a0 He\u2019s done that his whole life.\u00a0 I mean, what if I just didn\u2019t show up?\u00a0 Who would get these projects done?\u00a0 But I\u2019m your eldest son \u2013 and it\u2019s just expected of me \u2013 to be the responsible one.\u00a0 I guess when you\u2019re the youngest and spoiled rotten the way he is — it\u2019s easy to just come and go as you please.\u00a0 And you never get after him about it either!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head sadly.\u00a0 He believed jealousy was rearing its ugly head and though he took issue with what Adam had said he knew that there were other things he\u2019d have to address before defending his actions concerning Little Joe.\u00a0 Clearing his throat he continued, \u201cSon, you said that you wanted to tackle the construction of the new mill \u2013 and you even insisted on drawing up the plans for it.\u00a0 It appears to me that you really didn\u2019t want to oversee the project.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head in frustration over his failure to get through to his father. \u00a0\u201cPa \u2013 I don\u2019t mind being in charge and I wanted to draw up the plans for the mill.\u00a0 But I\u2019m sick of seeing that spoiled brat not even trying to do like he\u2019s been told!\u00a0 He\u2019s almost eighteen now.\u00a0 When I was eighteen, I was heading off to college while that boy just coasts through life doing whatever the heck he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph is not you, Adam.\u00a0 You wanted to go away to college \u2013 I didn\u2019t force you to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou just don\u2019t understand, Pa,\u201d Adam returned quietly, directing his attention back on his father.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m trying \u2013but I guess we\u2019re talking in circles here.\u00a0 You said you don\u2019t like your brother and that I\u2019ve spoiled him.\u00a0 The next minute you seem to be upset that Joe doesn\u2019t do exactly like you want him to do.\u00a0 I wish I knew what\u2019s going on in your head \u2013 and why you suddenly have so much vitriol towards that boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2013 come on \u2013 there\u2019s never been any love loss between the two of us.\u00a0 Joe doesn\u2019t like me anymore than I like him!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re wrong about that, Son,\u201d Ben stated adamantly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re very wrong!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not!\u00a0 He\u2019s got a tight bond with Hoss \u2013 but that\u2019s because Hoss does everything that Joe wants him to do.\u00a0 That kid doesn\u2019t listen to me, and he doesn\u2019t respect me either.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head wearily as he stared directly into the penetrating brown eyes of his eldest.\u00a0 He had listened and he had tried to understand what Adam was saying.\u00a0 But Ben hadn\u2019t been able to make any headway regarding his eldest son\u2019s animosity towards his brother.<\/p>\n Clearing his throat again to rid himself of the tightness he was experiencing and to gather his thoughts, Ben responded, \u201cI think it would be wise for you to speak directly to Joseph regarding the way you\u2019re feeling.\u00a0 Other than my having spoiled him, according to you, your beef is with him and not me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, no \u2013 I\u2019m not doing that,\u201d Adam insisted, raising a hand in gesture.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll hurt his little feelings, and he\u2019ll end up crying on your shoulder like always!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou two are going to talk this out tonight right after dinner.\u00a0 It\u2019s about time that we ended this feud.\u00a0 I\u2019ll not have it any longer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to speak my mind only to have you sitting there holding Joe\u2019s hand and defending him!\u00a0 And if Hoss is there, he\u2019ll feel sorry for the kid too so it will end up being three against one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be just you and Joseph \u2013 I\u2019ll be there just to make sure that there isn\u2019t any bloodshed, but I won\u2019t interfere.\u00a0 \u00a0And I\u2019m quite sure that Hoss won\u2019t want any part of it.\u00a0 You two boys have put him in the middle of all this enough here lately and he wants peace the same as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed and followed his father\u2019s retreating path to the bedroom door.\u00a0 As Pa stepped out into the hall he replied, \u201cOkay, if you insist.\u00a0 But I\u2019m warning you I\u2019m not going to hold back.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to let Joe know exactly what I think about him.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to get an earful from me!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAfter supper,\u201d Ben warned and turned down the hallway.<\/p>\n Growing anxious due to his conversation with Adam and worrying over what was going to happen later that evening, Ben walked out into the yard just to get some fresh air and clear his mind.\u00a0 He mulled over everything he\u2019d heard from his eldest.\u00a0 Ben was beginning to think that the problem Adam was having with his brother had been his fault and not that of his eldest.\u00a0 He had placed Adam in the role of being the responsible son most of his life just out of necessity.\u00a0 Ben knew that he couldn\u2019t always be there and during his absences had left Adam in charge on many occasions.\u00a0 His son obviously hadn\u2019t appreciated doing that, especially when it came to looking after Little Joe.\u00a0 But, then again, he hadn\u2019t taken the time to get to know his youngest brother either.\u00a0 When Adam had left for college at the age of eighteen, he\u2019d left behind Hoss who was twelve and Little Joe who was just six years old at the time.\u00a0 Then when he returned things had changed and Hoss and Joe had bonded, them being the only sons there at the ranch.\u00a0 Of course, with Hoss\u2019 personality it hadn\u2019t been hard for him to reacquaint himself with Adam and soon it was like he had never gone away for four years.\u00a0 But with Joseph it was an entirely different matter.\u00a0 To Ben it seemed as though the animosity had taken root between his eldest and youngest boys almost immediately upon Adam\u2019s return.\u00a0 Adam had matured and Joseph was only ten years old.\u00a0 On top of that age difference there were vast differences in their personalities.\u00a0 Adam was a logical thinker and a no-nonsense kind of person.\u00a0 He had the typical New England Stoicism that Ben had witnessed in the boy\u2019s mother Elizabeth.\u00a0 And Joseph was just the complete opposite.\u00a0 Outwardly the boy seemed wild and undisciplined.\u00a0 He lived each day in the moment, something that was contrary to his brother Adam\u2019s approach to life.\u00a0 Ben wondered if his two sons were just having a momentary breech in their relationship or if it would turn out to be something a bit more permanent.\u00a0 Before he had the chance to further dwell on the matter, he heard the rapid approach of a horse coming into the front yard.<\/p>\n Ben watched as his youngest brought Cochise to a dead stop there at the front hitching post.\u00a0 He studied his son\u2019s appearance as he moved over to the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cHi, Pa,\u201d Little Joe smiled as he dismounted.\u00a0 He clapped his father\u2019s arm and asked, \u201ceverything go okay in town?\u201d<\/p>\n Reaching over to brush the dust from the boy\u2019s jacket, Ben sent a forced smile to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cYes, everything\u2019s fine.\u00a0 How did your day go, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n Casting a wary glance to the house before redirecting his gaze to his father, Joe answered, \u201cOh, about like it usually does.\u00a0 Old Bill got on me again!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBill?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe chuckled and patted his father\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYeah \u2013 Bill Shakespeare, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head and tried not to show his amusement over what the boy had said, though he did think it was funny.\u00a0 \u201cOh yes, I heard a little something about that, Joseph.\u00a0 Care to explain?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe draped his arm across his father\u2019s shoulder as they turned toward the house.\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2013 I was late because I was handling that little situation I told you about.\u00a0 But old Bill gave me what for about being so irresponsible.\u00a0 Fortunately, Hoss was there so we didn\u2019t have to duke it out,\u201d He explained.<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d Ben grinned as they walked inside.\u00a0 \u201cGo get cleaned up \u2013 you\u2019re a real mess!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I just threw some dirt on my jacket, so it\u2019d look like I actually worked today and didn\u2019t just goof off like somebody around here thinks I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet cleaned up,\u201d Ben reiterated firmly though his affection for the boy was easily read by the proud gleam in his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Little Joe gave his father a mock salute and then turned for the staircase.<\/p>\n Ben shook his head, amused by the sound of the boy\u2019s laughter as it followed him up to his bedroom.\u00a0 *** Well, no matter what happened earlier \u2013 I guess Joseph didn\u2019t take his brother\u2019s anger to heart.\u00a0 That is, of course, if his outward appearance isn\u2019t all an act. ***<\/em><\/strong> he thought and then turned into the kitchen.<\/p>\n The mood around the dining table was very subdued with only Ben and Hoss keeping the conversation going.\u00a0 Both Adam and Joe hadn\u2019t spoken more than a few words and only responded to questions fielded by their father.\u00a0 Hoss explained how things were going out with the herd and talked about his plans to go back to help the drovers the next day.\u00a0 He had been warned by Pa that he was going to force his brothers to discuss their problems after supper and advised him that he might not want to be in the living room with them when they did it.\u00a0 Hoss appreciated the heads up as he wanted to steer clear of both Little Joe and Adam, sure that there would be loud voices raised.<\/p>\n A loud knock sounded on the front door and Ben stood to see who it was.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t minded the interruption as he had grown tired of watching his eldest and youngest sons avoiding each other.<\/p>\n \u201cFrank?\u00a0 You\u2019re out awfully late \u2013 come on in,\u201d Ben greeted the owner of the mercantile and ushered him inside the living room.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t stay, Ben \u2013 just wanted to tell you what I found out about your order,\u201d the man explained and handed him a telegram.<\/p>\n \u201cAs you can see there \u2013 that equipment won\u2019t be arriving like I thought it would.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLooks like you\u2019ll have to get it directly from the factory, Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry I did my best,\u201d Frank apologized and turned back for the door.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault.\u00a0 Thanks for coming all the way out here,\u201d Ben replied as he followed the man, pausing at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cIt wasn\u2019t any trouble.\u00a0 Goodnight, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks again, Frank,\u201d Ben nodded to him and closed the door.\u00a0 He walked back to the dinner table and retook his seat.\u00a0 *** As if I don\u2019t have enough problems! ***<\/em><\/strong> he thought to himself.<\/p>\n \u201cTrouble, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked after witnessing the look of exasperation on his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m afraid that equipment we\u2019ve been waiting on won\u2019t be arriving in town.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to have to send one of you boys to Sacramento to fetch it.\u00a0 The Jameson Brothers won\u2019t accept a bank draft and want payment upon purchase.\u00a0 The wire I just received said we\u2019ll have to pick it up ourselves because they no longer deliver and all orders have to be paid in cash right at their warehouse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go,\u201d Joe volunteered, trying to quell his father\u2019s worry.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it should be me \u2013 you wouldn\u2019t know what we need,\u201d Adam piped up and looked at his father.<\/p>\n Little Joe shook his head as he stared over at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt doesn\u2019t take a college diploma to know what type of equipment is needed for a sawmill!\u00a0 I\u2019m not stupid.\u00a0 I can figure it out just the same as you.\u00a0 How about it, Pa?\u201d\u00a0 He turned his attention back to his father.<\/p>\n \u201cNow just how would you know about a sawmill, Kid?\u00a0 You haven\u2019t spent more than a few hours working up there since the project began two weeks ago!\u201d Adam argued, making his point known about what he thought about Joe not having worked hard enough lately.<\/p>\n \u201cI was talking to our father \u2013 not you,\u201d Joe complained as he shot Adam a very displeased look.<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat, trying to bring the room to order.\u00a0 He studied the situation and then answered, being as diplomatic as possible, \u201cWell, you both could go and get the shipment.\u00a0 It\u2019s probably a two-man job anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked back and forth between his youngest brother and his father and then added, \u201cWell, if it\u2019s a two-man job that leaves you out, Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n His face turning beet-red due to the condescending remark Adam had fired his way, Joe\u2019s left hand balled up into a fist.\u00a0 Ben spotted the mounting anger spreading across the face of his youngest.\u00a0 He quickly grabbed the boy\u2019s arm as he suddenly stood from his chair.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph,\u201d Ben whispered and gently tugged his arm until he sat back down in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, Adam, I don\u2019t want to hear those kinds of remarks.\u00a0 They\u2019re uncalled for.\u201d<\/p>\n Regrouping his emotions, Joe bowed his head and whispered, \u201cnever mind, let someone else go, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 The last thing he needed was to spend more time with his eldest brother who had railed on him earlier that day.\u00a0 \u201cCome to think of it \u2013 I\u2019ve got plenty of things to do here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want me to go with you, Adam?\u201d Hoss offered, hoping to instill some calm in the heated discussion.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s enough hands out with the herd right now \u2013 and it shouldn\u2019t take more than about five days up and back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine by me.\u00a0 You\u2019re welcomed to come along, Hoss,\u201d Adam smiled at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright \u2013 then you two take the buckboard and bring back our order,\u201d Ben nodded to his sons.\u00a0 He dropped his napkin on the table as he cast a wary eye around the room.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m for bed \u2013 guess we\u2019ll be leaving in the morning and I\u2019m plum tuckered out,\u201d Hoss announced as he witnessed the look of apprehension spreading across his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 He knew what he was getting ready to say to his brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cGoodnight, Son,\u201d Ben nodded to the boy and watched as Hoss exited the room and headed over to the stairs.\u00a0 He then directed his attention toward both Joe and Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI want to see you both in the living room,\u201d He stated firmly and arose from his chair.<\/p>\n Adam knew what was about to happen, but Little Joe hadn\u2019t gotten the word that there was trouble brewing and he\u2019d be facing his brother\u2019s wrath soon.\u00a0 They wandered into the living room with Joe taking a seat on the settee while his brother sat down in the blue winged back chair to his right.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked after witnessing the severe look on his father\u2019s face as he dropped down into his chair next to the fireplace.<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat and looked from one son and then to the other before answering.<\/p>\n \u201cThe two of you boys have been at each other\u2019s throats for quite a while now, and as I told Adam earlier, I want you both to talk it out now.\u00a0 I also told Adam that I wouldn\u2019t interfere and I\u2019m only staying just to make sure that there aren\u2019t any punches thrown.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe frowned and replied, \u201cIf it\u2019s about him cuffing me \u2013 forget it, Pa.\u00a0 I don\u2019t need his apology.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cApology?\u201d Adam sounded out indignantly.\u00a0 \u201cFor what?\u00a0 Because I asked you why you were late and as usual you gave me nothing but lame excuses?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben watched quietly as the conversation got off to a very heated start.\u00a0 He sat back in his chair and waited.<\/p>\n \u201cI did my work,\u201d Little Joe insisted, dropping his gaze down to the floor to avoid his brother\u2019s angered visage.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did a half day\u2019s work and that was all you did.\u00a0 Just like always \u2013 you did a halfhearted job as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe stood from the settee and prepared to leave the room.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben chimed in and pointed a finger back to the settee.\u00a0 \u201cI want these differences aired out.\u00a0 Sit back down, please.\u201d<\/p>\n Not wanting to upset his father, Joe reluctantly retook his seat and then stared over at him.\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2013 what\u2019s the point to this anyway?\u00a0 Adam just wants to ride me about everything \u2013 just like he did earlier today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need Pa to bail you out as usual,\u201d Adam returned condescendingly.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Adam,\u201d Joe responded, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ve got something to say about me, go ahead let\u2019s hear it.\u00a0 I won\u2019t interrupt you.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t need Pa to defend me neither.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked at his father and then back over to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cFine, Kid, I will.\u00a0 Pa asked me why I have a problem with you and I told him a few things.\u00a0 But he suggested that I should take my complaints directly to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGo ahead,\u201d Little Joe announced and folded his arms across his chest, preparing for the worst.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are perhaps the laziest person I\u2019ve ever known.\u00a0 You are inconsiderate of everyone\u2019s feelings too!\u00a0 The only time that you do a full day\u2019s work is when Pa\u2019s breathing down your neck.\u00a0 Half of the time you trick Hoss into doing your work for you when our father isn\u2019t around.\u00a0 The other half of the time you make up some tall tale as to why you\u2019ve not pulled your own weight around here.\u00a0 There\u2019s always an excuse for your bad behavior, isn\u2019t there, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n When his brother failed to respond to anything he had said, Adam continued his rant, \u201cYou\u2019re also the most undisciplined person on this ranch!\u201d Adam paused as he shot a glance over at his father wondering when he was going to interrupt and make him stop his tirade.\u00a0 Pa still sat unmoving in his chair and surprisingly Little Joe had yet to offer any rebuttal either.\u00a0 Standing up, Adam moved in front of the fireplace and stared at his brother who still held his arms tightly across his chest like he was trying to hold in his anger.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, most of the time you only care about yourself \u2013 and what you can get away with.\u00a0 I told Pa this evening that he\u2019s spoiled you rotten — and you know it!\u00a0 You use your position of being the youngest to your advantage and whenever Hoss or I point out the fact that you haven\u2019t held up your own end around here you run to Pa and cry to him that you\u2019re misunderstood!\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe drew in a deep breath and held it in.\u00a0 He wished that Adam had just punched him because it would have hurt a lot less than hearing what he was saying to him now.\u00a0 Still, he held his peace and waited for his brother to finish.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m tired of dealing with you all the time.\u00a0 You don\u2019t show me any respect \u2013 yet you expect me to show it to you.\u00a0 As far as I\u2019m concerned, you are a spoiled, ill-tempered brat and you\u2019ll probably never change.\u00a0 You showing up late like you did today was yet more proof that you think that you can get away with anything because if challenged, you\u2019ll run to Pa and twist things around so it will end up being everyone else\u2019s fault and not your own.\u00a0 Time after time he mollycoddles you because you know that you can twist him around that crooked little finger of yours.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked back over to his father and remarked cooly, \u201cThere \u2013 I\u2019ve said what I wanted.\u201d\u00a0 He walked back to the chair and sat down before directing his attention to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cGo ahead, Little Joe, explain how you\u2019re so misunderstood.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Joe asked quietly, never looking at either man.\u00a0 \u201cCan I go up to my room now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh sure!\u201d Adam exclaimed and then chuckled due to the pathetic look on his brother\u2019s face.\u00a0 It was easy to see that the boy was going into one of his usual heart-wrenching performances that would elicit a response from their father so he would end up feeling sorry for him.\u00a0 \u201cSit there and act like a victim so Pa will feel bad and hold you to his chest and comfort you!\u00a0 Come on \u2013that\u2019s usually how these types of arguments end up!\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe closed his eyes battling the hurt that he felt inside.\u00a0 Adam had gone after him before but never as venomously as he had done that night.\u00a0 He wanted nothing more than to escape to the solitude of his bedroom so he wouldn\u2019t break down in front of his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cOh \u2013 you playing to the audience, Kid? Trying to make me feel guilty for telling the truth, right?\u00a0 Or are you just sitting there looking so forlorn so Pa will think you\u2019re really hurt due to what I said?\u00a0 As if words can ever really hurt a narcissist like you!\u201d<\/p>\n *** Great!\u00a0 It’s bad enough that he\u2019s just called me every awful thing he could think of, but now he\u2019s got to go and use one of those ten-dollar words that he learned in college. *** <\/em><\/strong>Joe thought to himself shaking his head in disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u201d Joe whispered.\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2013 can I go now?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben leaned forward in his chair and drew in a quick breath.\u00a0 He could tell how badly his brother\u2019s words had hurt Little Joe and he felt his pain deeply.\u00a0\u00a0 He understood the boy sitting there in front of him whereas Adam had never tried to look below the surface when it came to his youngest brother.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph.\u00a0 Tell him,\u201d Ben insisted and nodded his head in Joe\u2019s direction urging him out with his explanation.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t, Pa,\u201d Joe responded mournfully, closing his eyes to ward off the tears he could feel welling up inside them.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cTell me \u2013 tell me off.\u00a0 It\u2019s what you\u2019ve wanted to do all day so go right ahead!\u201d he chided the boy there in front of him.<\/p>\n His voice barely above a whisper, Joe once more asked for his father\u2019s permission to leave the room.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI said tell him,\u201d Ben stated emphatically and reached over to touch the boy\u2019s arm to coax him along.<\/p>\n Little Joe knew that his father wasn\u2019t going to allow him to leave the room unless he explained himself to his brother.\u00a0 Drawing in a deep breath, he finally spoke.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t make it out to the mill on time today because I was busy doing something else.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head and returned, \u201cOh \u2013 I see a sad story is about to unfold.\u00a0 Go ahead \u2013 alibi yourself out of another hard day\u2019s work, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet your brother talk!\u201d Ben called over to Adam sternly.\u00a0 \u201cYou had your say \u2013 let him have his now.\u201d<\/p>\n Settling back in his chair, Adam said, \u201cFine \u2013 go right ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was busy gentling a horse \u2013 I\u2019ve been working on doing it for more than a week,\u201d Joe finally announced, not looking at his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an out and out lie!\u00a0 I passed by the breaking corral today on my way to the mill.\u00a0 There aren\u2019t any new horses on the ranch — but good try, Joe!\u00a0 I bet Pa fell for your tall tale hook line and sinker.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2013 let me go \u2013 please!\u201d Joe begged his father.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t think he could endure his brother\u2019s ill remarks any longer.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben called softly.\u00a0 \u201cTell him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t out at the main breaking corral.\u00a0 I fixed up a make-shift corral over by Miller\u2019s Pond.\u00a0 I had Dusty there to spot me \u2013 you can ask him if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stood again and raised an arm in gesture.\u00a0 \u201cFine!\u00a0 Okay you were out breaking a horse somewhere.\u00a0 That doesn\u2019t negate the fact that I told you to be up at the mill right after breakfast!\u00a0 I guess you found a new \u201ctoy\u201d and decided that you needed yet another horse.\u00a0 Did Pa buy it for you as a gift for behaving yourself and not getting thrown into Roy\u2019s jail for a few weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe stood and was just about to head outside when his father hurried over to him and grabbed his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has gone on long enough!\u00a0 You tell him, Joseph, or I will,\u201d Ben demanded and pulled his son around to face his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cI spent a week trying to catch that stallion \u2013 it was the finest horse I\u2019d ever seen,\u201d Joe began, dropping his head down to his chest.<\/p>\n \u201cNow tell him why, Son,\u201d Ben whispered seeing how hard it was becoming for his youngest to hold up under his brother\u2019s insults.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a present \u2013 that\u2019s why I needed to get it gentled slowly.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want to ruin that stallion by bringing it along too fast.\u00a0 I wanted it to be all saddle broken and ready to ride by the end of the month,\u201d Joe confessed, his voice both shaky and hesitant.<\/p>\n \u201cThe end of the month?\u201d Adam questioned, wondering just where his brother was going with his explanation.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe finally looked over at his brother, staring intently into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cFor your birthday– -it was for you,\u201d He announced remorsefully.<\/p>\n Adam felt as though he had taken a direct blow to his gut after hearing what his brother had confessed.\u00a0 He shot a quick glance over at his father and noticed him nodding his head as if to confirm the boy\u2019s story.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say anything about why your brother hasn\u2019t been around much lately because Joseph wanted the horse to be a surprise.\u00a0 Hoss doesn\u2019t even know about it,\u201d Ben explained.<\/p>\n \u201cWell — someone<\/em><\/strong> should have told me,\u201d Adam fumed shaking his head upset with the situation and with himself as well.<\/p>\n \u201cPa \u2013 can I go now?\u201d Little Joe whispered, staring down at the floorboards.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe \u2013,\u201d Adam began but then stopped abruptly.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure what he could say by way of an apology.\u00a0 Words felt like they were wedged tightly inside his throat.\u00a0 He cast a quick glance over to his father and then muttered, \u201cI have to get things packed for Sacramento \u2013 I\u2019ll be back by the end of the week.\u201d\u00a0 And with that his final statement, Adam hurried up the stairs.<\/p>\n Little Joe stared up at his father.\u00a0 Unable to speak, he merely shook his head sadly. \u00a0Then he turned and ran to the front door, flinging it wide open.\u00a0 Joe needed to be alone to grieve over what had just happened and try to forget the hurtful words that his brother had said to him.<\/p>\n Ben stood alone in the living room wondering if his two sons would ever learn to appreciate each other.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t look as though that was possible at the time.\u00a0 He worried about Joseph, being acutely aware of how much his brother\u2019s remarks had injured his soul.\u00a0 Ben knew that he\u2019d have to give the boy a little time alone to try to cope with everything that had been said, but then he would go outside and try to make him understand that Adam really hadn\u2019t meant any of them.\u00a0 At least he hoped that he hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Little Joe stood out at the front corral leaning heavily up against it.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t just hurt by what Adam had said to him, he felt emotionally wounded by every single word.\u00a0 It had caused such a deep injury to his soul that he wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d ever get over it.\u00a0 On top of all that, Little Joe believed that his brother had meant them all and he worried that Adam had spoken the truth about him.\u00a0 He doubted himself and his self-confidence had been dealt a mortal blow.\u00a0 As he stood there staring down at the ground, Little Joe felt worse than he had in a long time.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice came out from the darkness and soon Little Joe felt a strong hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n Swiping a hand underneath his nose, Little Joe pushed away the spent tears.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to say now, Pa,\u201d he choked out.<\/p>\n Ben squeezed the boy\u2019s shoulder and whispered, \u201cI know you\u2019re hurt, Boy \u2013 why don\u2019t you come inside and we\u2019ll talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking his head, Joe whispered, \u201cNo, Pa \u2013 I can\u2019t \u2013 I just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSon \u2013 your brother didn\u2019t mean most of what he said in there.\u00a0 I think he\u2019s been taking some of his frustrations out on you.\u00a0 Being responsible for getting that mill up and running has gotten him a bit flustered.\u00a0 Some of the ranch hands who were supposed to help today never showed up and I think that\u2019s how all of this started.\u00a0 Adam has a lot on his plate right now and you know how he gets when he\u2019s determined to finish a job on schedule.\u00a0 It will blow over, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked and he fought to get his words out.\u00a0 \u201cIt was pretty easy to see that Adam has been holding back from telling me off for a long while.\u00a0 He meant everything he said about me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph, you\u2019re wrong,\u201d he insisted and attempted to pull the boy around so he could look him in the eye.\u00a0 The light from the porch lamp, assisted by a waning full moon was just enough for him to detect the reflection of sadness in the eyes of his youngest.<\/p>\n Little Joe stared off into the darkness and whispered, \u201cI guess I should just go out to the corral tomorrow and turn that stallion loose.\u00a0 There isn\u2019t much of a point to me giving it to Adam now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben paused and finally succeeded in bringing the boy over to him so he could see him more clearly.\u00a0 \u201cNow, you don\u2019t mean that.\u00a0 You chased after that horse for an entire week just so you could catch it and give it to Adam for his birthday.\u00a0 And I know that wasn\u2019t an easy thing to do.\u00a0 You\u2019ve gone through a tremendous amount of effort to bring that stallion along slowly so it will be ready by the end of the month.\u00a0 What happened tonight shouldn\u2019t stop you from doing what you\u2019d planned.\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking his head, Joe whispered, \u201che won\u2019t want it, Pa \u2013 not if it\u2019s from me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou two just need to work out your differences \u2013 you\u2019re still brothers.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had arguments before, Joseph.\u00a0 But deep down I know you two boys care about each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe begrudgingly gave up on the idea of turning the stallion loose.\u00a0 He turned his sad hazel eyes on his father.\u00a0 With his voice faltering and still trying to hide his tears, he asked, \u201cPa\u2014if I was to ask you something would you tell me the truth?\u201d<\/p>\n Drawing in a deep breath, Ben already knew what the boy was about to say to him.\u00a0 Joseph was consumed with self-doubt after listening to his brother and he knew it.\u00a0 He finally nodded to the boy, \u201cAlright \u2013 go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat Adam said about me, Pa \u2013 is there \u2013 is there truth to it?\u00a0 Do I really act like that?\u00a0 Tell me \u2013 and be honest with me,\u201d Joe pleaded with his father.<\/p>\n Holding his right hand up to his mouth, Ben mulled over what his son had asked.\u00a0 He knew that he\u2019d have to handle the situation delicately and yet answer as truthfully as he could.\u00a0 Ben held onto Joe’s shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Joseph,\u201d he sighed and shook his head sadly due to the hurt he read on the face before him.\u00a0 \u201cYou want me to tell you the truth \u2013 are you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe nodded as he blinked back tears.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Sir, I have to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam said you were undisciplined \u2013 and ill tempered.\u00a0 He also said that you were inconsiderate and lazy.\u00a0 I believe those were the main issues.\u00a0 Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd spoiled,\u201d Little Joe added woefully.\u00a0 \u201cHe also called me a narcissist, and I don\u2019t even know what that means, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben fought a smile over what the boy had just confessed.\u00a0 Clearing his throat, he answered, \u201cThat means that you only think about yourself, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay \u2013 add that to the list too,\u201d Little Joe nodded again.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2014am I all those things, Pa?\u00a0 I need the truth \u2013 no matter how hard it is for you to say \u2013 or for me to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFair enough,\u201d Ben agreed and tilted his head to get a good long look at the insecure boy standing there before him.\u00a0 \u201cUndisciplined \u2013 let\u2019s see.\u00a0 I suppose that could be said about a lot of people, Joseph.\u00a0 And sometimes I guess it could be said about you as well, but not all the time.\u00a0 Now \u2013 ill-tempered \u2013 that\u2019s true sometimes — but not always either.\u00a0 Now as far as being inconsiderate, I take umbrage to that because I\u2019ve never known you to be inconsiderate-\u201c Ben was cut off by his son.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u00a0 That\u2019s another one of those words I don\u2019t know \u2013 what\u2019s umbrage mean?\u201d<\/p>\n Not wanting to laugh due to the odd expression on his son\u2019s face or because of the question he had posed, Ben cleared his throat again and replied, \u201cThat just means that I disagree with Adam saying that you\u2019re inconsiderate, Joseph.\u201d<\/p>\n Nodding his head, Joe seemed satisfied with his father\u2019s explanation.\u00a0 \u201cGo ahead, Pa, but I guess he should\u2019ve added my being illiterate to the list.\u201d<\/p>\n Chuckling, Ben patted the boy\u2019s shoulder and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re no such thing!\u00a0 Now, where were we?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re up to me being lazy now,\u201d Joe frowned at the thought.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay \u2013as for being lazy \u2013 well \u2014I suppose when you really don\u2019t want to do something \u2013 it could be said about you.\u00a0 As for being a narcissist \u2013 no you\u2019re definitely not that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSounds like Adam was mostly right about me, Pa,\u201d Little Joe sighed crestfallen and sadly looked down at the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben paused and lifted his son\u2019s chin to direct his gaze.\u00a0 \u201cYou asked me for the truth \u2013 but I need to clarify some of the things I just said because it\u2019s not what you\u2019re thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSon, I don\u2019t think that you\u2019re any of those things that your brother said.\u00a0 In fact, I know that you\u2019re not.\u00a0 But you see — it\u2019s different with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t understand, Pa.\u00a0 Why is it different with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I\u2019m your father and you\u2019ve shown me what\u2019s underneath that cleverly crafted fa\u00e7ade of yours.\u00a0 Sometimes I honestly believe that I know you better than you know yourself, Son,\u201d Ben whispered, trying to get his meaning across.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph, you spend a great deal of your time hiding behind what you want people to see when they look at you.\u00a0 If you\u2019d be honest with yourself, you\u2019d have to admit that I\u2019m right,\u201d he explained and forced his son\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n Little Joe could read what was in his father\u2019s eyes, knowing in his heart that he had been truthful with him.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Pa \u2013 I know.\u00a0 It\u2019s easier with you \u2013 because you always look for the best in me.\u00a0 Others don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that you have a heart that\u2019s so easily injured that you protect yourself by hiding behind a quick grin and an atrocious sounding laugh.\u00a0 You care \u2013 and you always have.\u00a0 I know that you love your brothers \u2013 both of them — no matter how mad you get at Adam.\u00a0 I also know that there\u2019s not a harder worker on this ranch than you.\u00a0 But that\u2019s only when you want to be.\u00a0 You\u2019re different from your brothers, but that doesn\u2019t mean there\u2019s something wrong with you or your behavior.\u00a0 It\u2019s what makes you Joseph Cartwright.\u00a0 The problem is you don\u2019t show your true self to others, and they don\u2019t take the time to see the things in you that I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe looked down at the ground, feeling somewhat emotional and a bit guilty after hearing what his father had said to him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, you and your brothers have different qualities and traits.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s always been the logical one, Hoss the practical one and you\u2019re the mercurial one.\u00a0 That\u2019s just your nature.\u00a0 I suppose it\u2019s a lot easier to list someone\u2019s faults than their attributes and you have many of the latter.\u00a0 For one, you are loyal to a fault.\u00a0 You never give up on someone who you care about, no matter what the problem or situation.\u00a0 Maybe that\u2019s your stubbornness but it\u2019s also your abiding faith in all those you love.\u00a0 No matter what you might project to others I know that if anyone fights anyone of us \u2013 as far as you\u2019re concerned — they\u2019ve got to fight with you.\u00a0 Now as to whether your brother Adam will ever realize any of those things about you \u2013 that\u2019s going to rely on the two of you to work out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said I always run to you \u2013 and that you always bail me out of my problems.\u00a0 I guess that\u2019s true, isn\u2019t it, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph,\u201d Ben paused and shook his head, surprised by what the boy had asked.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m your father \u2013 and that\u2019s what father\u2019s do.\u00a0 But it\u2019s not always the case that I\u2019ve been involved in getting you out of a problem.\u00a0 There’s been so many times that I\u2019ve practically had to get a crowbar to pry the truth out of you before you finally fessed up and told me what you were going through. And there\u2019s been plenty of times you\u2019ve gotten yourself out of tough situations long before I\u2019ve even found out about them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why does he have such a problem with the way you and I relate to each other, Pa?\u00a0 He\u2019s always saying things about me turning to you when I\u2019m upset about something.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Wrapping his arms around his son, Ben pulled him to his chest.\u00a0 \u201cI love all three of you boys \u2013 and I always have.\u00a0 Hoss knows that \u2013 but sometimes I think the problem with Adam is that he\u2019s not as demonstrative as you are.\u00a0 He holds his emotions close to his vest \u2013 always has.\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s that New England blood of his?\u00a0 It\u2019s just his way.\u00a0 But I sometimes think Adam is just a tad bit jealous over the way you share your feelings with me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u00a0 He could do that too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he could and I\u2019d be there for him if he wanted to show me that side of himself.\u00a0 But, because he doesn\u2019t want to share his deepest feelings with me, instead I try and encourage him about his plans and dreams.\u00a0 That\u2019s what matters to Adam and how he relates to me \u2013 by talking about those types of things.\u00a0 And there\u2019s nothing wrong with that either, Joseph.\u00a0 You boys are all different \u2013 and you all have different needs.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe thought about what his father had just told him but was still having a difficult time understanding why Adam had said all that he had to him.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes I honestly think that he hates me, Pa \u2013 and that he\u2019d like me to just go away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Joseph, your brother might get angry with you \u2013 and get after you a lot.\u00a0 But deep down he loves you,\u201d Ben tried to reassure the boy.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he wants me to change— I guess that\u2019s the only way he\u2019ll ever approve of me,\u201d Little Joe replied despondently, still dwelling on what his brother had said that night.<\/p>\n Pulling his son back, Ben stared into the eyes that were still filled with both confusion and sorrow.\u00a0 \u201cNo, that\u2019s not the answer, Joseph.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t want you to change.\u00a0 You\u2019re just as special to me in your own right as he is in his.\u00a0 In fact, because of that heart of yours \u2013 that you try so hard not to show anyone else but me – I\u2019ve learned a lot from you over the years, Son.\u00a0 Whether you know it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom me?\u201d he responded with disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what you could\u2019ve learned from me, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, from you,\u201d Ben nodded insistently.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cJoseph, after your mother died, I became what I\u2019d call hardened.\u00a0 I think it was because I had dealt with so many personal losses.\u00a0 I built a wall around my feelings to protect myself \u2013 or so I thought.\u00a0 I still tried to be a good father to the three of you boys \u2013 but I wasn\u2019t very demonstrative.\u00a0 I put all of that behind me after your mother died.\u00a0 And then there was you.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe stared into his father\u2019s eyes and his confusion over what he had said was easily read in his gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph \u2013 over the years you taught me how to show my affection again.\u00a0 Because of how deeply you feel things.\u00a0 You helped me to remember how precious every minute really is, especially those that I\u2019ve shared with the three of my sons.\u00a0 It was a valuable lesson too,\u201d Ben nodded and smiled affectionately over at his boy.<\/p>\n Feeling a bit overwhelmed by what his father had said, Little Joe\u2019s eyes brimmed with tears.\u00a0 He reasoned that no matter what Adam thought about him at least his father understood him and loved him despite any character flaws.<\/p>\n Ben cleared his throat as he set the palm of his hand against his son\u2019s cheek and said, \u201cMy life would never have been complete without you, Joseph.\u00a0 And I wouldn\u2019t have you any other way.\u00a0 The goofing off, the tall tales, and that sometimes undisciplined nature of yours \u2013 I accept them all.\u00a0 Because what\u2019s underneath all of that is your loving nature and your zest for life.\u00a0 When you love someone, you love them all the way, unconditionally and without reservations.\u00a0 And that\u2019s who you really are, in my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n Pa\u2019s praise meant so much to him, Joe was too choked up to comment; he simply thanked his father with his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cNow,\u201d Ben started and tilted his head to get a better look at his son to determine if he had understood his words and what he had tried to convey to the boy.\u00a0 \u201cYou asked me to be honest with you about whether I thought what Adam said about you was true.\u00a0 And deep down,\u201d Ben paused again and lifted his son\u2019s chin to direct his gaze, \u201cyou already knew.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t change one thing about you \u2013 even those traits that aggravate me the most.\u00a0 Because, Joseph, I love you just the way you are.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Little Joe fell into his father\u2019s arms and held onto him.\u00a0 He felt the familiar touch of Pa\u2019s hand as it swept across the back of his head, brushing back his curls.\u00a0 Neither of them spoke for a long while, each knowing how much what had been said that night had affected all of those involved.\u00a0 Finally in a soft whisper came Little Joe\u2019s response, \u201cI love you too, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben drew in a deep breath having been a bit overwhelmed by the events of the evening along with all that both sons had said.\u00a0 He pulled Joseph back and examined his face to see if he was feeling any better.<\/p>\n \u201cSon, I\u2019m going to ask you the same thing that I\u2019m going to ask Adam.\u00a0 I want you to try to understand each other.\u00a0 I\u2019m not asking you to change anymore than I\u2019m going to ask him to change.\u00a0 But you\u2019re brothers.\u00a0 Just try to put yourself in Adam\u2019s shoes before you judge him.\u00a0 Okay?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d he agreed, nodding up at his father.<\/p>\n Ben smiled and patted his son\u2019s back. \u201cNow, how about we go inside and get some coffee?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe nodded and replied, \u201cOkay \u2013 but Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam said I was spoiled \u2013 you never addressed that fault of mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Chuckling, Ben ruffled the boy\u2019s hair and exclaimed, \u201cOh you\u2019re definitely spoiled!\u00a0 But since I\u2019m the one who spoiled you \u2013 well \u2013 I guess it\u2019s okay.\u00a0 Now come on inside \u2013 I can fix one of your faults right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh?\u00a0 Which fault?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have to say that of all three of my sons you make the worst coffee.\u00a0 Now let\u2019s go into the kitchen and I\u2019ll show you how it\u2019s done,\u201d Ben grinned and threw an arm around the boy, turning him towards the house.<\/p>\n Ben had said goodnight to his youngest and the boy went on up to his room a short time after they both had a few cups of coffee.\u00a0 He sat in his red leather chair dwelling on all that had happened that evening and all the hurtful words that had been exchanged in the living room earlier.\u00a0 By ten o\u2019clock he set the last large log on the grate in the fireplace and turned in for the night.\u00a0 Upon walking to his bedroom Ben spotted the light streaming from underneath Adam\u2019s bedroom door.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure if his intrusion would be a welcomed one, but he knocked on the door anyway.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u00a0 It\u2019s kind of late,\u201d Adam remarked as he opened his door and saw his father standing in the hallway.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to talk to you for just a minute,\u201d Ben answered and waited for his son to usher him inside which he reluctantly did.<\/p>\n \u201cI looked out of my window earlier and saw you outside with the kid,\u201d Adam announced as he sat down on the bottom of his bed.<\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cYes, the boy was pretty upset.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should\u2019ve told me about that horse, Pa.\u00a0 If you had, I would never have jumped Joe\u2019s case tonight.\u00a0 It made me look a bit petty don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe wanted that stallion to be a surprise, and I didn\u2019t want to ruin it for him.\u00a0 But once I realized that he was about to run off, I thought it best that he let you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat still doesn\u2019t negate the fact that the kid should\u2019ve told me that he wasn\u2019t going to show up at the mill on time.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot to do out there and it was bad enough that two of the hired hands didn\u2019t show up.\u00a0 I needed him there and way before one in the afternoon!\u00a0 I\u2019m just saying that he should\u2019ve said something to me regardless of what else he was up to.\u00a0 It\u2019s the least he could\u2019ve done after I told him to be there right after breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd that\u2019s the problem,\u201d Ben stated emphatically.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 Joe not telling me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you said that you told<\/em><\/strong> Joseph to show up right after breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shook his head, not understanding what his father was getting at.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou told<\/em><\/strong> your brother.\u00a0 That\u2019s a whole lot different than asking him, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do I have to ask him?\u00a0 You put me in charge,\u201d He complained.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you\u2019re not his father.\u00a0 I\u2019m his father and I tell that boy what to do and he does it without any complaint.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019ve got to admit hearing something from your father is a whole lot different than hearing the same thing from your brother.\u00a0 You\u2019d do well to remember that.\u00a0 Your brother reacts much better to being asked something than he does by being told to do it.\u00a0 I\u2019d have thought you\u2019d figured that out after all these years.\u00a0 Joseph is growing up and he\u2019ll soon be a man.\u00a0 You still see him as a little kid but he\u2019s not that any longer.\u00a0 He\u2019s a young man and he has feelings the same as you do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to beg Joe to do his work, Pa,\u201d Adam insisted.<\/p>\n \u201cAsking is not begging, Son.\u00a0 I know you have expectations when it comes to Joe but just because he doesn\u2019t see things the same as you do doesn\u2019t make him wrong.\u00a0 It just makes him Joe.\u00a0 I\u2019d not expect him to act as you do, and neither should you.\u00a0 You\u2019re both different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss is dependable.\u00a0 If he knows there\u2019s a job to do he does it without my having to order him around or ask him twice.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see why Joe can\u2019t do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph is younger than your other brother and like you just admitted you ask<\/em><\/strong> Hoss \u2013 you don\u2019t tell<\/em><\/strong> him.\u00a0 Adam,\u201d Ben paused and set a hand onto his son\u2019s shoulder and directed his gaze.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to ask you to do the same thing that I\u2019ve just asked your brother to do.\u00a0 Try to understand him and perhaps try to put yourself in his shoes.\u00a0 I hope both of you boys will try to do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cPa, I know Joe\u2019s different and he\u2019s aggravating.\u201d He paused and then looked directly into his father\u2019s eyes and admitted, \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t mean everything I said tonight.\u00a0 I did feel bad after I saw the look on his face.\u00a0 I was expecting him to yell and act up but instead he just sat there and took it.\u00a0 Then when he told me about that horse and all he\u2019s done to get it ready for my birthday \u2013 well \u2013 it made me feel terrible.\u00a0 And when I realized just how bad I\u2019d made him feel due to the things that I said to him I wasn\u2019t happy with myself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you put yourself in his shoes, huh?\u201d Ben nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess,\u201d Adam frowned, upset by all that had transpired that night.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you\u2019ve got a long trip tomorrow.\u00a0 Maybe think about what I\u2019ve said while you\u2019re away and hopefully things may be a little different when you return?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll think about it, Pa,\u201d Adam agreed.<\/p>\n \u201cGood,\u201d Ben smiled as he turned for the door.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss and I\u2019ll be leaving at first light.\u00a0 I\u2019ll send word once we\u2019ve got that equipment.\u00a0 Can you oversee the work at the mill until I get back?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cDon\u2019t worry.\u00a0 It will get done.\u00a0 Have a safe trip.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched as his father walked into the hall still mulling over all that the man had said to him.<\/p>\n Little Joe didn\u2019t make it to the dining table until seven o\u2019clock the next morning.\u00a0 By then his brothers had already left for Sacramento in the buckboard.\u00a0 He stared over at the two empty place settings and felt bad about the way the previous night had gone and all that had been said.\u00a0 Joe turned when his father came in from the kitchen with a pot of coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Pa \u2013 I didn\u2019t mean to sleep so late,\u201d He apologized and handed his cup to the end of the table.<\/p>\n \u201cYou had a rough night,\u201d Ben began and poured his son some coffee and then passed the cup back to him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad you got some rest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat time did they leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I saw them off about an hour ago.\u00a0 Your brothers wanted to get an early start.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe stirred his coffee and grew quiet, still mulling over some of the things that Adam had said about him the prior night.<\/p>\n Ben knew exactly what his son was fixated on and stared over at the boy.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s that stallion coming along, Joseph?\u00a0 Do you have much more to do to get him ready?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa \u2013 I think he\u2019s all set.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just ride him a little every day until I give him to Adam.\u00a0 Why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I was thinking,\u201d He paused and studied his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re freed up, I\u2019ve got a job for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u00a0 You want me to go help up at the sawmill?\u00a0 I know there\u2019s still a lot to do up there.\u201d<\/p>\n Reaching to the right of his plate, Ben pulled up a notepad and handed it over to his son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam left a day-by-day construction schedule.\u00a0 He asked me to take charge in his absence.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe took a quick look at what his brother had written and then stared back over at his father.\u00a0 \u201cSure, Pa \u2013 I\u2019ll go out there with you and help out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son,\u201d Ben shook his head and smiled knowingly at the boy.\u00a0 \u201cI have other things to do here.\u00a0 I\u2019m putting you in charge of the sawmill — just until Adam returns.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no!\u201d Joe exclaimed and handed the notepad back to his father as though it was burning his fingertips.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not even going to try to take charge of that thing, Pa!\u00a0 I\u2019ll help out but that\u2019s all I\u2019m gonna do!\u00a0 If I messed things up, I\u2019d never hear the end of it from Adam.\u00a0 If you think he called me a lot of awful things last night \u2013 just think of what he\u2019d say if I ruined his project.\u201d<\/p>\n Chuckling, Ben patted the boy\u2019s arm and nodded his way, \u201cJoseph, I have faith in you \u2013 even if you don\u2019t.\u00a0 Everything\u2019s written down in his notes \u2013 they\u2019re very thorough.\u00a0 All you have to do is keep to that schedule and work alongside the crew.\u00a0 \u00a0I\u2019ll make sure you\u2019ve got all the help you\u2019ll need but you\u2019re in charge now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa \u2013\u201d Joe continued but was cut off in midsentence.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you know better than to argue with your boss?\u201d he asked raising his eyebrows in gesture.<\/p>\n Shaking his head, Little Joe frowned but didn\u2019t say anything in rebuttal.<\/p>\n \u201cNow \u2013 eat your breakfast and then head out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood from the table and dropped his napkin on the side of his plate.\u00a0 \u201cNow I\u2019ve lost my appetite.\u00a0\u00a0 Okay \u2013 but if Adam starts yelling at me when he gets home, you\u2019d better let him know that it wasn\u2019t my idea!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll do fine,\u201d Ben nodded and watched as his son walked into the next room to get his holster and hat.\u00a0 \u201cHave a good day, Son!\u201d He called only to hear the boy groaning as he walked out the front door.<\/p>\n Ben studied the telegram he\u2019d gotten the previous day from Adam.\u00a0 The wire said that everything had gone smoothly and he and Hoss were heading back and should arrive the following afternoon.\u00a0 For four straight days Little Joe had diligently worked up at the sawmill and had kept up with Adam\u2019s schedule.\u00a0 Ben had gone out to see the boy earlier in the day and found Joseph covered in sweat hammering boards onto the studs that had been erected the previous day.\u00a0 He had told his youngest how proud he was of all that he had accomplished, and Joe seemed very pleased that for the most part everything had gone smoothly other than a few minor problems the first two days.\u00a0 But the boy had also mentioned being glad that he\u2019d soon be turning all the responsibility back to his eldest brother.\u00a0 Ben hoped that after having overseen such a large project, and dealing with some of the problems that arose, it would help Little Joe understand some of the pressures that Adam had been under. \u00a0\u00a0He thought that it would give the boy a glimpse into why his brother had been so harsh with him.\u00a0 Though he presumed that only time would tell if his two sons would ever try to put themselves into each other\u2019s shoes.<\/p>\n There was a loud shout coming from out in the yard and Ben abruptly stood from his desk.\u00a0 He hurried over to the front door and jogged outside.\u00a0 Sitting there in the buckboard that was pulled up in front of the porch was his foreman, Fletcher, who yelled over to him.<\/p>\n \u201cBen!\u00a0 Joe\u2019s been hurt!\u201d He sang out as he jumped down from the bench seat and hurried over to the bed of the wagon.<\/p>\n Running into the yard, Ben made his way to the buckboard and stared down at his youngest son lying there unconscious.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to the boy, Fletcher?\u201d He questioned fearfully.<\/p>\n \u201cDarn kid!\u201d the foreman exclaimed shaking his head with frustration.\u00a0 \u201cI told him to wait on me to help him, but he just went ahead and did it himself! \u00a0\u00a0Joe\u2019s been hellbent on getting a day ahead of schedule this whole week just so he could impress his brother Adam.\u00a0 Dad burn hardheaded little idiot just wouldn\u2019t listen!\u201d<\/p>\n His fingers trembling as he touched the large purplish bruise on Little Joe\u2019s forehead, Ben directed his attention back to the foreman.\u00a0 \u201cHow did he get hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe was scrambling up that sloped principal rafter to secure one of the wind braces and fell straight down.\u00a0 Knocked himself out and his right leg is broke, Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go fetch Doc after I help you inside with the boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou get the door,\u201d Ben nodded as he gently pulled Little Joe up into his arms.\u00a0 He followed Fletcher inside the house and up the stairs, finally spreading Joe out on top of his bed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d have sent someone else to bring Doc out here, Ben, but everyone quit for the day, and it was only Joe and me left up at the sawmill.\u00a0 We were supposed to be picking up tools and that would\u2019ve been that \u2013 but he crawled up there before I could stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben reached over and set a calming hand onto his friend\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 He could tell that Fletcher was a bit shaken to see the boy injured as badly as he was.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s alright \u2013 you got him home.\u00a0 Now if you\u2019ll get Doc here, I\u2019d appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Fletcher dropped a hand onto Little Joe\u2019s head and sighed, \u201cDang fool kid \u2013 never done a lick of work in his whole life \u2013 no account little varmint.\u201d He stopped his tirade and stared at Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe about scared the life out of me this time!\u00a0 I was afraid he\u2019d broke his fool neck, Ben!\u00a0 \u00a0You know that I don\u2019t give one hoot about him \u2013 but \u2013well — just take care of the boy, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n Reading the worry etched across the foreman\u2019s face, Ben nodded.\u00a0 The man talked a good game, but he knew that Fletcher liked all of his sons, but he had always been a bit partial to the youngest who was now lying hurt.\u00a0 \u201cI will,\u201d he reassured and watched the man hurrying out of the bedroom.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat have you done to yourself this time, Joseph?\u201d Ben muttered and went about the arduous task of getting the boy out of his clothes.\u00a0 He carefully removed both boots, spending extra care when pulling off the boy\u2019s right one.\u00a0 Then removing Joe\u2019s belt out from underneath him, he carefully eased his son\u2019s pants off.\u00a0 There was blood on the right leg of Little Joe\u2019s long-john bottoms and Ben gently drew the material up to the boy\u2019s knee.\u00a0 He winced his face after getting a good look at the nasty break. \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n ***Oh Lord! *** \u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Ben thought as he studied the swollen leg and felt the separation in the bone just underneath Little Joe\u2019s right knee.\u00a0 He knew that he couldn\u2019t wait for Doctor Martin to get there.\u00a0 Ben had dealt with broken bones before and was aware that he\u2019d have to try to set his son\u2019s leg since it might be hours before Paul could get to the ranch.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Joe muttered as he began to come around.\u00a0 Blinking his eyes a few times his father\u2019s face slowly came into focus.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Young Man \u2013 were you trying out for the circus?\u00a0 I heard you were up on the rafters playing around.\u00a0 Fletcher said you just about scared him to death when he saw you fall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d he muttered weakly.\u00a0 \u201cI was just trying to get that last wind brace into place \u2013 then I was gonna get down from there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Joseph,\u201d Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cA wind brace isn\u2019t as important as your life.\u00a0 And neither is a sawmill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to \u2013\u201d he trailed off.<\/p>\n Ben sat down on the side of the bed and swept a hand across his son\u2019s forehead, pushing aside the same unruly bangs he had fought with for seventeen straight years. (Note from the writer: I\u2019ve written some variation of that same line two hundred times now and I never grow tired of it!) \u00a0\u201cI know \u2013 you wanted to get ahead of schedule, so when Adam got here, he\u2019d be pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t expecting him to be pleased, Pa,\u201d Joe shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI just wanted him to know that I tried \u2013 that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou boys are all going to be the death of me,\u201d Ben remarked and then squeezed the boy\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I won\u2019t fuss at you right now because unfortunately we have a leg to set, Young Man.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe watched as his father stood from the bed wondering what he was going to do.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t we gonna wait for Doc?\u201d he asked weakly, scrunching up his face in woeful anticipation.<\/p>\n Staring down at the boy\u2019s right leg, which was now doubled in size due to the swelling, Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Joseph, sorry but you\u2019re stuck with me this time. \u00a0Paul\u2019s probably not going to make it here for hours and that leg needs to be set now.\u00a0 Don\u2019t move, Boy, I\u2019ll be right back.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got to get a few things from downstairs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Bring me up some whiskey!\u201d Joe called as his father made it to the doorway.\u00a0 He heard Pa’s laughter out in the hall in response to his request.<\/p>\n When Ben made it back up to his son\u2019s room Little Joe had gone back under again.\u00a0 He set the two wooden slats to one side along with the bandage material.\u00a0 Knowing that Joe would surely wake up once he began to feel the pain from having the bone in his leg set, Ben readied a small shot of whiskey.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph?\u201d He called as he lightly slapped the boy\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cSon \u2013 wake up for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Blinking his eyes open again, Little Joe\u2019s pain had gone from bad to excruciating causing a loud moan to escape from his lips.<\/p>\n \u201cHere, I honored your request,\u201d Ben tried to sound upbeat though he dreaded what he would have to do.\u00a0 \u201cHave some of this, Son,\u201d he insisted and lifted the boy\u2019s head while holding the shot of whiskey to his lips.<\/p>\n Joe obliged his father and emptied the glass before he dropped his head down onto his pillow again.\u00a0 \u201cLeg feels like it\u2019s on fire, Pa,\u201d he groaned.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry \u2013 I know it does, Son,\u201d Ben nodded sympathetically as he squeezed the boy\u2019s hand hoping to instill some calm into the terrible situation.\u00a0 Placing the two pieces of wood off to the left as he sat down at the bottom of the boy\u2019s bed, Ben wondered how Little Joe would react to the bone in his leg getting snapped into place.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get this done \u2013 it\u2019s been far too long already.\u00a0 Now,\u201d he paused and reached for Joe\u2019s right wrist first.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSince there\u2019s no one to help me hold you down this time, let\u2019s see how this will work.\u00a0 I want you to set this hand up over your head \u2013 there \u2013 just underneath your headboard.\u00a0 That\u2019s it.\u00a0 I want you to hold on tight, Boy.\u00a0 Now let\u2019s get your other hand up there,\u201d Ben instructed and grabbed Joe\u2019s left wrist and waited for him to wrap his fingers underneath the bottom of the headboard.\u00a0 Studying the placement of both of his son\u2019s hands he smiled confidently and nodded. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s going to work just fine.\u00a0 Now listen to me — I don\u2019t want you to take either of those hands down until I tell you to.\u00a0 Understand, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe simply nodded his head.\u00a0 Bracing himself for what was to come, his body stiffened as he held his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cGood boy,\u201d Ben sent a reassuring smile over to his son and got into position.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll try to do this as quickly as I can, Joseph.\u00a0 Now on the count of three.\u00a0 Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n Again, Joe nodded, his knuckles going white from holding on to the bottom of the headboard so tightly.<\/p>\n With his left hand grasping his son\u2019s knee and with his right hand getting a firm hold of Joe\u2019s ankle, Ben drew in a quick breath and said a silent prayer for extra strength.<\/p>\n \u201cThree!\u201d Ben sang out as he forcefully snapped the bone back into place.<\/p>\n Fighting to catch his breath, tears welled up in Little Joe\u2019s eyes as the agonizing crunch of bone meeting bone tore right through him.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s got it, Son,\u201d Ben announced with a deep sigh of relief, glad to have the awful ordeal over with.\u00a0 \u201cAre you alright?\u201d He asked softly, as he witnessed the anguished appearance on Little Joe\u2019s face along with the couple of tears which had slipped out from the corners of his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, Pa,\u201d Joe nodded, though his voice betrayed his attempt to sound in control.<\/p>\n Ben grinned knowingly as he reached up and pushed the tears off the boy\u2019s cheeks.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s my boy,\u201d he said proudly.\u00a0 \u201cNow I\u2019ll just get this leg strapped down some \u2013 won\u2019t take long.\u201d\u00a0 Taking his time to secure both boards to form a splint on either side of the leg and wrapping it tightly with the bandage material, Ben finished his ministrations.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m done,\u201d He announced staring back up at his son.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened to one and two, Pa?\u201d Little Joe asked, still fighting for control over his voice.<\/p>\n Ben stood and approached the head of the bed, dropping down to get closer to Little Joe.\u00a0 He reached up and one by one gently removed each of his son\u2019s hands which were still clutching the headboard.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I just thought I\u2019d catch you off guard this time,\u201d he announced drolly, attempting to appear unphased over what he\u2019d just done in completing the set to the boy\u2019s leg.\u00a0 \u00a0But no matter how hard he tried to sound lighthearted about the whole procedure, Ben hated that he had caused his son more pain.\u00a0 Joe was lying there trying his best to ignore the tears which were involuntarily tracking down his cheeks.\u00a0 There was no real reason to hide them; not from Pa.\u00a0 \u00a0Ben knew Joseph had tried his best to conceal the agony he had just experienced due to the sudden realignment of the broken bone in his leg, and he was keenly aware that the boy was holding back for his sake.\u00a0 At that moment, knowing exactly what Joseph needed, Ben leaned down and slid his left arm underneath his son\u2019s shoulders and carefully pulled Joe\u2019s upper body close to him until it came to a rest against his chest.\u00a0 Holding the boy securely in his arms, he whispered softly, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Son \u2013 sorry that I had to hurt you like that.\u201d\u00a0 Pressing his lips to Little Joe\u2019s forehead, he kissed him and announced, \u201cYou know I\u2019ll just bet you that by this time tomorrow you\u2019ll forget all about the pain that you\u2019ve just gone through getting that leg set, Joseph.\u201d\u00a0 Then, still holding his son tightly to his chest he shared a tender moment with his boy. Ben felt Little Joe\u2019s arms as they reached up and wrapped around his shoulders, holding on with a sudden urgency born out of both pain and relief.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Pa,\u201d he sobbed due to the excruciating pain he had endured from having the broken bone snapped into place.\u00a0 Little Joe abandoned any attempt to prove his bravery because he needed the closeness of being held in his father\u2019s arms and the comfort he could only find there in his embrace.\u00a0 And neither of them felt even the least bit embarrassed by the open display of affection.\u00a0 Joe knew that Pa had always accepted the fact that he needed his love and compassion, especially in times of crisis or sorrow.\u00a0 That particular trait of Joe\u2019s would never change, no matter how old he got.\u00a0 He was relieved to know that Pa understood him and what he needed from him.\u00a0 \u00a0The calming effect that Little Joe found wrapped in the security of his father\u2019s arms had the power to lessen his pain and soothe his worries far more than anything that Doctor Martin could ever prescribe.\u00a0 And it had always been offered freely to him without a request; Pa just knew.\u00a0 \u00a0His father had summed it up in those few words he had said to him a few nights prior, \u201cI love you just the way you are\u201d, <\/em><\/strong>and it was very obvious that Pa did.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0And Little Joe felt that exact same way about his Pa.<\/p>\n Clearing his throat to hide the worry in his voice, Ben whispered, \u201cNow \u2013 how about we get you comfortable and then maybe I can get you to go back to sleep for a little while?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe closed his eyes and nodded his head.\u00a0 He was hurting more than mere words could ever say, but he knew that Pa had been through enough and didn\u2019t want to alarm him.<\/p>\n Carefully easing his son underneath both the sheet and blanket, Ben straightened the boy\u2019s injured leg and then reached for the water pitcher.\u00a0 \u201cHere \u2013 have a little of this — it might help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Pa \u2013 I\u2019m okay,\u201d Joe shook his head, waving the glass away.<\/p>\n \u201cGet some rest, Joseph,\u201d he insisted with a well-honed calmness to his tone of voice.\u00a0 Ben sat next to the boy until he finally drifted off.\u00a0 Once he knew that his son was sound asleep, Ben leaned forward and softly kissed his brow.\u00a0 \u201cSon, you never cease to amaze me.\u00a0 You\u2019re about as brave as they come,\u201d he announced proudly even though he knew that Little Joe was beyond being able to hear his father\u2019s praise.\u00a0 It didn’t matter.\u00a0 Ben would be sure to tell his son those exact words later, once Joseph was awake.<\/p>\n Ben had just made it down the staircase when he witnessed the front door opening and saw both Hoss and Adam walking inside.\u00a0 Smiling to see that his boys had made it home safely, he called over to them.<\/p>\n \u201cGlad to see that you\u2019re both back!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood to be home, Pa!\u201d Hoss announced cheerily as he removed his hat and gun belt, placing them on top of the credenza.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything\u2019s delivered out at the sawmill, Pa,\u201d Adam announced as he likewise removed his holster and hat.<\/p>\n The two men walked across the living room, and both offered their father a pat to his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cGood job, Boys,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve put some stew on the stove in the hopes that you both would make it home in time for supper.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHop Sing ain\u2019t back yet?\u201d Hoss frowned as he stared over to the dining table.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Son,\u201d Ben grinned knowingly.\u00a0 He knew that the big man had missed the cook and his culinary skills.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s going to be here in time for Adam\u2019s birthday in two days.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took his seat in the blue winged back chair as Hoss settled down on the settee.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks for taking charge of the sawmill, Pa.\u00a0 Everything seems to be running on schedule,\u201d Adam offered a grateful nod.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, everything that was written down on that well-detailed notepad of yours has been done and then some,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBut \u2013 I wasn\u2019t the one who managed to keep the crews working.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat down in his chair next to the fireplace and stared over at his eldest.\u00a0 \u201cI put someone else in charge in your absence.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam cast a perplexed glance over to his father and replied, \u201cWho?\u00a0 Don\u2019t tell me you made Fletcher supervise?\u201d<\/p>\n Shaking his head, Ben said, \u201cNo, I got someone else to do it.\u00a0 I had to find someone I could trust, someone well-disciplined<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 Not that Fletcher wouldn\u2019t have done a good job, but I needed to appoint someone who I knew would understand how important it was for you to keep the construction running smoothly and on time, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss stared back and forth between his father and brother and then asked, \u201cWhat\u2019s the big mystery, Pa?\u00a0 Who did you get?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph,\u201d Ben stated with a nod to his head.<\/p>\n Disbelief displaying across his face, Adam asked, \u201cThe kid?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe young man<\/em><\/strong>,\u201d Ben corrected firmly.\u00a0 \u201cA kid couldn\u2019t have worked from sunup to sundown and kept those crews in line the way that Joseph did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you helped him, right?\u201d Adam continued, staring suspiciously over at his father.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yes, I helped him,\u201d Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI gave him your notepad.\u00a0 And that\u2019s all<\/em><\/strong> the help I gave him.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t easy on him either.\u00a0 Joseph dragged in here most nights and was too tired to eat his supper. He had a few problems with some of the men \u2013 just like you did, Adam \u2013 but he settled them in short order. \u00a0Once your brother sets his mind on accomplishing something he just refuses to quit.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam wore a frown on his face when he thought back to some of the terrible things that he had said to Little Joe.\u00a0 He had time out on the road to and from Sacramento to think about how badly he had railed on the boy and felt bad about it.\u00a0 Though he believed that some of his remarks were warranted, not all of them had been.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he?\u00a0 I\u2019d like to tell him that I appreciate him taking charge up at the sawmill and for doing such a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sighed deeply as he stood from his chair.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019ll have to keep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u00a0 Hoss and I saw Cochise out in the barn \u2013 he\u2019s got to be here somewhere.\u201d Adam continued.<\/p>\n His eyes focusing up to the top of the staircase, Ben explained, \u201cJoseph got hurt \u2013 and Doc has him on some very strong pain killer right now.\u00a0 He\u2019s probably going to sleep through supper.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Hoss and Adam stood after hearing what Pa had said.\u00a0 \u201cIs he okay?\u201d Hoss was the first to ask.<\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cHe will be \u2013 but right now he\u2019s not in very good shape, Hoss.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Turning to stare into the eyes of his eldest boy, Ben answered, \u201cJoseph was up on one of the rafters trying to secure one of the wind braces and he fell.\u00a0 Fortunately, Fletcher was there and brought the boy home.\u00a0 Doc says it\u2019s a bad break and the boy\u2019s in a cast now, but he\u2019s been in a lot of pain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy was Joe working on that roof so soon?\u00a0 I was planning on doing that once I got back.\u201d Adam questioned, shaking his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI think your brother wanted to get ahead of your schedule, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get it,\u201d Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHe wanted to prove to me that he could get things done faster than I could.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Ben announced and placed a hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHe wasn\u2019t trying to show you up \u2013 Joseph was just worried that he wouldn\u2019t measure up to your expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause of what I said to him, Pa.\u00a0 I never should have been so hard on him \u2013 no matter how mad I was,\u201d Adam confessed.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe both of you boys have learned a little something?\u00a0 I think Joe put himself in your shoes when he had to keep things running up at that mill.\u00a0 And hopefully you\u2019ve had some time to think about the way you see him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll talk with him about it, Pa,\u201d Adam nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2013 you can do just that tomorrow,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBut as for tonight\u2014\u201d he paused and looked over at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to get all of us some supper before this one falls dead away from hunger,\u201d he indicated Hoss and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be ready soon,\u201d Ben announced and then turned for the kitchen.<\/p>\n \u201cThat darn fool kid,\u201d Adam muttered shaking his head.<\/p>\n Hoss reached over to his brother and dropped a large hand on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, ain\u2019t he a pure caution?\u00a0 But he\u2019s stubborn \u2013 just like you, Adam.\u00a0 You know, you and Little Joe see your differences \u2013 but as for me \u2013 I see the ways you\u2019re both alike.\u00a0 You\u2019re both stubborn cusses; you\u2019re both hard workers \u2013 that is when you both want to be.\u00a0 And you both sometimes say things that you don\u2019t mean.\u201d<\/p>\n Grinning, Adam nodded over to his brother, knowing that he was right.<\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d Little Joe muttered as he tried to home in on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 The room was dark with the wick to his lamp on the nightstand turned way down low.<\/p>\n \u201cRight here, Joseph,\u201d Ben whispered and reached for the pitcher on the nightstand, pouring the boy a glass of water.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about time you woke up \u2013 you\u2019ve been out all night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cKinda groggy, Pa,\u201d He announced and felt his father\u2019s hand on the back of his neck lifting his head up.\u00a0 Joe took a couple of sips of water and then Pa eased him back down on the pillow.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s due to the medicine Doc gave you.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had quite a time with that leg of yours.\u00a0 How\u2019s it feeling, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot too bad.\u201d<\/p>\n Grinning, Ben set a hand onto the boy\u2019s arm and replied, \u201cI saw you wincing your face, Young Man.\u00a0 Now come on \u2013 how is it?\u00a0 I need to know if it\u2019s time for another dose of pain killer.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe shook his head and groaned.\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2013 I\u2019m so out of it that I don\u2019t even know what day it is.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather wait awhile before getting knocked out cold again.\u201d<\/p>\n Leaning back in the chair next to the bed, Ben smiled at his son and announced, \u201cYou broke your leg on Wednesday.\u00a0 You slept most of Thursday and now it\u2019s the wee hours of the morning on Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLast thing I remember was you setting my leg, Pa,\u201d Joe confessed groggily.<\/p>\n \u201cI can just imagine,\u201d Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIt wasn\u2019t easy to pop that bone back into place \u2013 but Paul said I did a pretty good job.\u00a0 At least he didn\u2019t have to set it again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBen Cartwright, medical doctor,\u201d Little Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019ve had a lot of experience.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, that\u2019s true and mostly due to your wild escapades — not to mention you being accident prone, Young Man,\u201d Ben agreed.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be hungry by now.\u00a0 How about I bring you up something to eat?\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe\u2019s attention was focused on something more pressing than food.\u00a0 He thought for a few minutes and then asked, \u201cPa?\u00a0 I need to get that stallion ready.\u00a0 I was planning on riding it a little every day, so it\u2019ll be ready for Adam\u2019s birthday Sunday!\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood and moved over to the bed after witnessing his son growing restless.\u00a0 He carefully eased down at the head of the bed and dropped a hand onto Little Joe\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, I took care of that for you.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had Cody working that horse every day.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be ready by Sunday so just settle back and stop worrying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Joe sighed with relief.\u00a0 \u201cDid Hoss and Adam get back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes \u2013 they\u2019re back and the equipment is already up at the sawmill.\u00a0 So, there\u2019s absolutely nothing to worry about.\u00a0 Now \u2013 let\u2019s get you some food and then you\u2019ll be due for some more pain medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes Adam know that I took charge up at the mill, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded, \u201cYes \u2013 and he and Hoss both said that they were surprised to see so much having been done up there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBet Adam wasn\u2019t too thrilled to hear that you put me in charge, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not true,\u201d came the voice in the doorway.<\/p>\n Ben and Joe directed their attention across the room where Adam was standing.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam?\u00a0 You\u2019re up awfully early,\u201d Ben said and watched as an apprehensive look spread across Joe\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t sleep very well, Pa,\u201d He replied and drew closer to the bed.<\/p>\n Knowing that his sons needed to air out their differences, Ben pushed the bangs off Little Joe\u2019s forehead and offered the boy a reassuring smile. (201)<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why don\u2019t you sit with your brother so I can bring him up something to eat?\u201d He suggested and stood from the bed.<\/p>\n Adam nodded and watched as his father exited the room.\u00a0 He sat down in the chair that Pa had vacated earlier.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you feel, Little Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n Directing his gaze down to his bedspread, he answered quietly, \u201cI\u2019m okay.\u201d\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t spoken to his eldest brother since the night Adam had said such terrible things about him and Joe felt trapped.\u00a0 He sure couldn\u2019t get out of his bed, what with the heavy plaster cast weighing down his leg.<\/p>\n \u201cRelax, Joe \u2013 I didn\u2019t come in here to get after you about anything.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why did you come in here?\u201d he asked warily.<\/p>\n Crossing his arms over his chest, Adam drew in a deep breath and replied, \u201cTwo reasons.\u00a0 I wanted to tell you that I appreciated all your hard work up at the sawmill.\u00a0 You did a great job \u2013 and kept those men in line too.\u00a0 I know from firsthand experience that\u2019s not always an easy thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe simply nodded his head but didn\u2019t speak.\u00a0 He waited to hear what his brother was going to say to him.\u00a0 There was an awkward silence in the room for several minutes before Adam finally piped up again.<\/p>\n \u201cI also wanted to tell you that I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I said some things about you that I shouldn\u2019t have —\u201d Adam was cut off by his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to apologize, Adam.\u00a0 You told me exactly how you feel about me \u2013 and that\u2019s just the way it is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLittle Joe \u2013 I was angry.\u00a0 I was angry at you for not showing up on time \u2013 and I was frustrated that day because I couldn\u2019t get the men up at the mill to do like I expected them to do either.\u00a0 Some of them didn\u2019t bother to show up and that started my day off wrong.\u00a0 And then when you got there \u2013 well \u2013 I thought you\u2019d purposely arrived late just to rile me up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2013 you didn\u2019t know that I was out trying to get that horse ready for your birthday,\u201d Joe offered, attempting to put himself in his brother\u2019s shoes like his father had asked him to do days earlier.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true \u2013 I didn\u2019t.\u00a0 But regardless \u2013 I never should have said those things to you that night.\u00a0 I handled it all wrong \u2013 and I feel bad about it,\u201d Adam sighed and dropped his gaze down to the floor.\u00a0 He had done the same thing that Little Joe had and tried to put himself in his brother\u2019s shoes.\u00a0 On the trip back from Sacramento, he had thought about the fact that he had expected his little brother to act like him and hadn\u2019t appreciated the fact that the boy was much different in nature than he was.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just forget it, Adam,\u201d Joe announced quietly.\u00a0 Though his brother\u2019s harsh words had wounded him he was willing to try and forget them.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry you got hurt, Little Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was my own fault \u2013 I should\u2019ve just quit for the day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah \u2013 Pa told me that,\u201d Adam nodded over to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it was probably due to that stubborn streak of yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe frowned but nodded his agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s just like Hoss told me last night \u2013 you and I have that in common — we’re both stubborn to a fault,” Adam smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay \u2013 he’s probably right about that one particular flaw of ours,\u201d Joe paused and then stared intently over at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you might be stubborn like me –but at least you\u2019re not a narcissist!”<\/p>\n Adam chuckled and reached over and patted his brother\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Kid, you don\u2019t even know what that word means!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure I do!\u00a0 I’m not stupid you know!\u201d Joe insisted defensively, trying to hide his smile.\u00a0 \u201cIt means that I\u2019m extremely good looking.\u201d<\/p>\n Carrying a tray of food up to Little Joe\u2019s bedroom, Ben paused just outside the door and listened.\u00a0 The sound of both his eldest and youngest son\u2019s laughter filtered out into the hallway.\u00a0 To Ben Cartwright it wasn\u2019t merely the sound of mirth coming from the next room.\u00a0 It was the sweet sound of peace and understanding emanating from the two boys who most often warred with each other.\u00a0 His mouth forming a contented smile, he waited for a few minutes before walking inside the room.<\/p>\n Epilogue<\/p>\n Hop Sing returned by Sunday and had gone right to work preparing a lavish birthday dinner for Adam along with a four-layer chocolate cake.\u00a0 So, with all five men present under the same roof, including the Chinese member of the family, the day was off to a great start.\u00a0 Ben insisted that Adam sleep in late that morning and by early afternoon both he and Hoss presented him with their birthday gifts.<\/p>\n \u201cThis new saddle is great, I really appreciate it, Hoss,\u201d Adam smiled broadly as he stood in the living room inspecting the workmanship of the saddle which was resting on top of the coffee table.<\/p>\n \u201cOld Nate Billings made it special for you,\u201d Hoss grinned.\u00a0 He was happy to see that his gift had been so well received by his brother.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he did an amazing job \u2013 thanks again, Brother,\u201d Adam clapped the big man on the back.<\/p>\n \u201cHere you are, Son,\u201d Ben handed his eldest a big brown envelope.<\/p>\n Adam eagerly opened his father\u2019s gift and looked up at him, emotionally overwhelmed.\u00a0 \u201cPa \u2013 are you sure about this?\u201d\u00a0 He studied the train tickets that were inside along with a large amount of traveling money.<\/p>\n Ben nodded to his son and smiled warmly, \u201cOf course I am.\u00a0 You wanted to go to your college reunion in two months so I figured that you could take the trip at your leisure.\u00a0 I know you could get there in about six weeks \u2013 but you might as well take your time and enjoy the scenery.\u00a0 Those train tickets are for your own private berth, so you\u2019ll get some sleep at night.\u00a0 That way you\u2019ll be all rested once you reach your destination.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t mind my being away for four months?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, Son,\u201d Ben said, and patted Adam\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve more than earned some time off this year what with all the projects you\u2019ve handled for me.\u00a0 I want you to go and have a wonderful time.\u00a0 Now that\u2019s not saying we won\u2019t miss you.\u00a0 But we\u2019ll look forward to hearing about all your adventures when you return.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou better believe we\u2019ll miss you!\u201d Hoss exclaimed and playfully gave his brother a slight jab to his ribcage.\u00a0 \u201cEspecially when Little Joe and I have to take those ornery cows to market without you!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed and nodded to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure you will.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2013 Hoss,\u201d Ben broke the sudden silence which had fallen over the room.\u00a0 \u00a0He reached for his middle boy\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cI believe we have one more package to give Adam.\u00a0 Go and fetch it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBe right back!\u201d Hoss announced and hurried to the stairs.\u00a0 Adam looked over at his father, puzzled by what he had said.<\/p>\n \u201cJust wait\u2014you\u2019ll see,\u201d Ben grinned.<\/p>\n Both men turned when they spotted Hoss at the top of the stairs with Little Joe held in his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cPut me down you nit wit!\u201d \u00a0Little Joe whined.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got crutches\u2014I can get down these dang stairs!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t!\u201d Hoss insisted as he slowly descended the staircase, never releasing his little brother from his tight hold.\u00a0 \u201cPa don\u2019t trust you with heights anymore \u2013 and neither do the rest of us!\u201d<\/p>\n Making it into the living room, Hoss eased his little brother into the blue winged back chair and gently positioned the boy\u2019s wounded leg out in front of him.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no!\u00a0 Don\u2019t tell me that he\u2019s<\/strong><\/em> my present?\u201d Adam laughed and pointed at his little brother.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m not your present,\u201d Little Joe groaned.\u00a0 His attention was directed over to the coffee table.\u00a0 \u201cHey, nice saddle, Adam.\u00a0 Oh, and Hoss told me that Pa gave you an all-expense paid trip to Boston!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u00a0 Four months without a care in the world,\u201d Adam said with a look of contentment on his face.<\/p>\n Little Joe stared over at his father and feigned being upset.\u00a0 \u201cGosh, Pa \u2013 I thought you only spoiled me,\u201d he complained with an impish grin pulling up the corners of his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cI spoil all three of you!\u201d Ben laughed and nodded over to his youngest.\u00a0 Winking, he added, \u201cIt\u2019s one of my very few faults.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you never gave me an all-expense paid trip anywhere!\u201d Little Joe continued, still fighting to hide his amusement.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not true, Joseph \u2013 here you are,\u201d Ben announced and handed the boy his crutches.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll have an all-expense paid trip back up to your room in about fifteen minutes.\u00a0 Doc told you to stay off that leg and that\u2019s what you\u2019re going to do.\u00a0 Now stop talking and let\u2019s go, the clock is ticking.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe frowned but nodded his head in agreement with his father\u2019s terms.\u00a0 He pulled himself up out of the chair and carefully limped across the living room, stopping at the front door.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam — come here a minute,\u201d Joe called across the room.<\/p>\n Adam met his brother at the front door and was soon joined there by both Hoss and Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen the door for me,\u201d Little Joe insisted and moved back a bit to allow his brother some room.<\/p>\n Pulling the door open Adam was surprised to see Fletcher standing there on the front porch.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, don\u2019t just stand there looking stupid,\u201d The foreman called over to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cGet out here!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam made his way out into the yard with his family trailing behind eager to see what Little Joe had chosen for his brother as a gift.<\/p>\n Fletcher stared over at Little Joe, taking notice of the crutches that the boy had slung underneath both arms.\u00a0 \u201cYou dumb kid.\u00a0 Now see what you done to yourself,\u201d he remarked shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you not to get up on that danged rafter?\u00a0 You ain\u2019t got the sense the Good Lord gave you.\u00a0 I swear, Boy, you\u2019ll never amount to anything laying around in a sick bed most of your no-account life!\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling over at the foreman, Little Joe laughed due to what he had said.\u00a0 He knew that Fletcher liked him regardless of his ill-timed insults.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I miss you too, you old coot.\u00a0 Now go on and get it will you?\u201d<\/p>\n Fletcher turned and whistled and another ranch hand appeared.<\/p>\n \u201cHad to bring Cody with me because he doesn\u2019t want to part with that new horse of yours, Adam,\u201d Fletcher grinned.\u00a0 \u201cHappy birthday, Boy.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, Adam nodded to the man, “Thanks, Fletcher.”<\/p>\n Cody led the black stallion over to the Cartwrights and handed the reins to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWish this was my present, Adam.\u00a0 Happy birthday,\u201d he smiled and patted the other man\u2019s shoulder and received a grateful nod from Adam in return. \u00a0\u00a0Cody then turned and walked over to stand next to Fletcher who waited on the front porch admiring the horse.<\/p>\n Adam couldn\u2019t take his eyes off the stallion before him.\u00a0 He was cognizant of the fact that Little Joe knew his horseflesh, however he hadn\u2019t expected to receive such a fine animal from him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell?\u201d Little Joe called over to his brother.\u00a0 \u201cYou gonna get up on him or just stand there gawking?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked around the stallion and swung up into the saddle.\u00a0 He gently tapped the horse\u2019s sides, bringing it up into a cantor.<\/p>\n \u201cFine animal, Joseph,\u201d Ben nodded proudly over to his son and set a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou done good, Little Brother,\u201d Hoss whispered.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, that horse will have a smoother gait to him once Adam puts that new saddle I got him on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe grinned at Hoss and nodded his way.<\/p>\n Adam finally rode back to where his family stood.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s some horse,\u201d Adam announced, a bit overwhelmed by his brother\u2019s thoughtfulness.<\/p>\n \u201cYou gonna just sit on him or see how fast he is?\u201d Little Joe chided, smiling up at Adam.<\/p>\n Returning his brother’s smile he replied, \u201cJust watch for the dust cloud — it’s all you’ll be able to see in a few seconds.”<\/p>\n Turning the horse around in preparation to race it out of the yard, Adam looked back at Joe and said with a smile and a nod to his head, \u201cNot bad, Kid.\u00a0 You know your horseflesh.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Joe grinned knowingly.\u00a0 To anyone else what Adam had said to the boy wouldn\u2019t have seemed like much of a compliment or anything special by way of a thank you for the stallion either.\u00a0 But between the two brothers they knew.\u00a0 Adam had shown his youngest brother respect in what he had offered in his own inimitable way, and Little Joe had received both the compliment and the thank you gratefully.\u00a0 He knew that Adam was letting him know that he appreciated the gift.\u00a0 And foremost, in his words and in his actions the last few days, Adam had revealed to Joe that he had finally begun to understand and accept him, flaws and all.<\/p>\n *** I took the good times; I\u2019ll take the bad times.\u00a0 I take you just the way you are. ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n Written by Wrangler<\/p>\n 10\/6\/2026\u00a0 \u00a0***Feedback or “likes” are not required but are always appreciated.\u00a0 Thank you for reading! ***<\/p>\n (Dedicated to my story consultant who made me rewrite the last paragraph a million times, thanks Rob, you were right. And for Joan on her birthday 10\/17, who is always in my heart and always missed.\u00a0 Without whom there would never have been a Wrangler.)<\/p>\n *** Note from the writer.\u00a0 I’ve been asked numerous times in twenty-five years why, in just about every story that I write, I have Pa push Little Joe’s curls off his forehead. The answer is a simple one.\u00a0 Pa can’t kiss Joe’s forehead if he doesn’t push the bangs back first. ***<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Exasperated by Little Joe’s behavior, Adam launches into an all-out tirade detailing his brother’s many character flaws.\u00a0 Ben’s efforts to keep tempers from flaring between his two sons are sidelined when there’s a sudden accident.\u00a0 Rating T, WC 17,710<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":140,"featured_media":70295,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[1015,23,1008,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-joe-pa","category-drama","category-family","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1015-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-41-id"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Screenshot_20261008_172003_YouTube.jpg?fit=1472%2C1080&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70198","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\/140"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=70198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70198\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/70295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=70198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=70198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=70198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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