{"id":70605,"date":"2026-10-28T21:19:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T01:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=70605"},"modified":"2026-10-28T21:19:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T01:19:54","slug":"my-green-eyed-boy-by-djk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=70605","title":{"rendered":"My Green-eyed Boy (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/strong>My Green-eyed Boy<\/strong><\/p>\n

by DJK<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summary: Adam told everyone it had to be a prank, but he could not say who, how, or why, and even Ben Cartwright eventually wondered if it was happening at other than human hands. \u00a0This was written for the 2026 Michael Landon Birthday Literary Challenge.<\/p>\n

Rating: teen\u00a0\u00a0 word count: 3796<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>It started with things being slightly out of place.\u00a0 Adam was the first to notice because he was the most precise in the placement of his belongings and most cognizant of where he put things.\u00a0 His first thought was that Little Joe had been in his room.\u00a0 He sternly reminded his eleven-year-old brother of the prohibition against entering the rooms of other family members without invitation or touching their belongings without permission.\u00a0 Little Joe bristled and fussed that nobody seemed to mind touching his things or coming into his room uninvited and stomped away.\u00a0 Adam snorted and expected things to improve.\u00a0 They did not.\u00a0 Things began to move seemly of their own volition from one place to another sometimes across a room and sometimes from room to room.\u00a0 It was obvious enough that the entire family including Hop Sing noticed, grumbled, and accused not only Little Joe but the others in general when some things traveled during the hours when the boy was at school. \u00a0\u00a0No one\u2019s possessions seemed immune, and irritation rose.\u00a0 As a prank it was harmless enough but increasingly irritating, and Ben one night at dinner made a stern edict- directed mainly at his two youngest sons- against any more of the same, declaring that the prank had best end.\u00a0 It did not; on the contrary, it escalated. Ever larger items not only moved but settled in ridiculous places or hid themselves completely. \u00a0\u00a0When Hop Sing found several dirty tools contaminating his flour bin, his rant was loud, long, and ended in the pronouncement that there would be no sweets baked for a week.\u00a0 Ben then had a serious talk with each of his sons, but the situation became no clearer.\u00a0 Adam suspected that Little Joe and Hoss were working in concert, and Little Joe ventured the observation that only Adam would take the risk of continuing with both Pa and Hop Sing united in opposition.\u00a0 Hoss told both his brothers that he appreciated a well-executed prank but he appreciated Hop Sing\u2019s desserts, not to mention Pa\u2019s good moods, a good bit more and that he\u2019d pound the brother that continued to rile them both and dump the leavings in the pond.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next day Ben found his inkwell and several important contracts that should have been in the locked safe instead transferred to the privy.\u00a0 He lost his temper, and his bellows could be heard across the yard and down to the bunkhouse.\u00a0 That was also the day when the smells began.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

First, a rank and fetid smell in the dining area interfered with the family\u2019s enjoyment of Hop Sing\u2019s chicken and dumplings and had Hop Sing and Hoss along with Little Joe -at Ben\u2019s order- searching intently for a dead animal.\u00a0 They covered every inch of the entire great room, moving furniture and opening drawers and containers of all kinds, but found nothing.\u00a0 The smell faded and returned repeatedly as did the acrid scent that seemed to emanate from Ben\u2019s desk and the excessively sweet floral odor filling the upper hallway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The smells were then joined by mysterious sounds- tapping, knocking, and clanging- that had no identifiable source.\u00a0 Soon a soft whistling song that no one admitted to knowing was added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam still insisted that it was some grand prank, but even he could offer no explanation nor find any tangible evidence.\u00a0 Ben, also, told himself that it must be happening by a human hand but was at a loss as to who, how, or why.\u00a0 He had accepted that things had progressed beyond what even all three of his sons working in concert could have achieved. \u00a0Besides, all three of them were suffering one way or another from the smells and sounds and traveling possessions. \u00a0Three and a half weeks passed while everyone living in the ranch house became increasing edgy and despairing.\u00a0 Little Joe, then Hoss, and finally Hop Sing declared it was time to look for ways to deal not with a human but with a supernatural source in the effort to rid themselves of the problem.\u00a0 Adam rolled his eyes but quietly began researching.\u00a0 Ben threw up his hands and declared any reasonable option that would not destroy any part of the place could be tried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They tried cleansing herbs, Chinese incantations, Indian charms, Buddhist and Christian prayers then assorted blessings.\u00a0 Finally, one entire day passed without incident.\u00a0 The Carwright household sighed in hopeful relief.\u00a0 The next night a storm descended on the ranch, and Little Joe saw his first apparition between lightning flashes.\u00a0 Ben reassured him that it was a trick of the shadows and flashing light but allowed the boy to accept Hoss\u2019s offer to share his bed.\u00a0 The next morning, Hoss and Joe together saw a shimmering woman walk from the hall through the closed door into Ben\u2019s room, but it was not until the next night when Adam was forced to admit that he had seen such a woman emerge from a wall and disappear into another that Ben sent his youngest to stay with the Devlin family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre we certain that Little Joe will remain at the Delvin\u2019s?\u201d \u00a0Adam addressed his father who sat across from him in Ben\u2019s favorite leather chair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIsaac Devlin will see to it that he does.\u00a0 I made the importance clear and have his word.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou made the importance clear without revealing the reason?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI spoke in general terms.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s right hand rubbed the smooth leather of the chair\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI put Ned in charge of keeping both Hoss and Hop Sing down at the bunkhouse.\u00a0 There\u2019s been no problems at all there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd having to be there to keep Hoss safe will preclude Ned joining us.\u201d\u00a0 Adam rubbed the bridge of his nose.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNed will see to it that everyone else on the ranch stays away from the house, barn, and yard.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, it\u2019s you and I.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled wryly.\u00a0 \u201cWe shall beard the lion in his den- or should I say her den- together, and I for one intend to have an answer before the next sun rises.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright studied his eldest son who despite being a mature adult was still his father\u2019s child.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if I should decide to beard this lion alone and send you down to the bunkhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam had been waiting for some version of Ben\u2019s question, if not a simple command to go.\u00a0 He gazed directly at his father, raised his chin, and spoke clearly.\u00a0 \u201cI simply wouldn\u2019t obey.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s tone was totally parental.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe really shouldn\u2019t waste energy fighting each other, Pa.\u00a0 We may need all we both can muster before this night is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed in acceptance. As much as he wanted his son safely away from whatever might occur in his house that night, he knew that Adam would be at his side when they confronted the supernatural entity that had invaded their home.\u00a0 \u201cWell, then, my most defiant son whose disrespect I may yet not overlook, it is time we armed ourselves with the word of the Lord and went upstairs.\u201d\u00a0 Ben retrieved the large Cartwright family Bible and carried it to the bottom of the staircase.\u00a0 Adam joined him; then together they mounted the stairs, for the apparition had been seen only on the upper floor.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s hand patted his pocket where his stepmother\u2019s rosary currently resided and then drew it out letting it hang from his left hand.\u00a0\u00a0 His other pocket held a quarter pound of salt.\u00a0 They sat down in two chairs that had been brought out from the guest room earlier.\u00a0 An iron pry bar leaned against each chair, and since the only items of solid silver to be found on the ranch were the contents of Marie\u2019s table service, several butterknives lay on the floor between the chairs.\u00a0 Ben lit the hall lamp, settled in one chair, and started reading Psalms. Adam took a seat in the other, and the wait began.\u00a0 Hours later, it ended with a thunderous crash that seemed to engulf the house and had Ben and Adam springing to their feet. Next came a rush of freezing wind down the hallway. When the wind subsided, she was standing there, less shimmering and more solid then previously.\u00a0 She also appeared angry and focused on the two of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u00a0 WHERE?\u201d\u00a0 The voice was raspy but strong and definitely demanding.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is who?\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice was clear and controlled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe green-eyed boy!\u00a0 Where is he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLittle Joe is not here.\u201d\u00a0 Ben too was controlled and calm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJOSIAH!\u201d\u00a0 Her wail was as much a cry of pain and sorrow as it was a name.\u00a0 \u201cMy Little Josiah, my boy.\u201d\u00a0 Her sob seemed to lower the temperature around them twenty degrees.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Ben turned their eyes from the woman to share a quick look and then focused again on the apparition.\u00a0 \u201cNo. \u00a0He is my son Joseph.\u00a0 The green-eyed boy is my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNO!\u201d\u00a0 The sound shook the walls.\u00a0 \u201cHE IS MINE!\u00a0 My lost boy, my Little Josiah.\u201d\u00a0 Her arm extended and her finger pointed at Ben. \u201cYou shall bring him to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think you can keep him from me?\u201d\u00a0 Her eyes burned, a grin distorted her face, and her hand flicked.\u00a0 The chairs, the pry bars, and the butterknives went flying through the air as if thrown, hitting the walls and falling scattered on the floor.\u00a0 Ben managed to keep the Bible held tightly against his chest, and Marie\u2019s rosary stayed entwined in Adam\u2019s left hand.\u00a0 Adam slid his right hand into his pocket, filled it with salt, and suddenly threw a handful at the apparition.\u00a0 She howled, flickered, but remained.\u00a0 Before Adam or his father could reach for either an iron or a silver weapon, they felt something encircling their throats, tightening slowly, and choking off breath.\u00a0 In seconds they were pinned by \u00a0giant, invisible hands against the back wall with their heads touching the ceiling and their feet dangling above the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 The voice was not a roar but a boy\u2019s shout and a recognizable shout at that.\u00a0 \u201cLet them go!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Isaac, you failed me.<\/em>\u00a0 Ben tried to turn his head enough to see his youngest son but could not.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Never bet against the kid when it comes to slipping off. <\/em>\u00a0Adam would have rolled his eyes if he had not been slipping from consciousness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The woman\u2019s attention went immediately to the boy now standing just at the start of the hallway.\u00a0 \u201cJosiah!\u201d\u00a0 There was joy in the cry, and the pressure on Ben and Adam\u2019s throats eased.\u00a0 \u201cOh, come to me, baby, come to Mama.\u201d\u00a0 Her arms reached toward Little Joe, and both Ben and Adam dropped abruptly to the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 You\u2019re not my mother, and I\u2019m not a baby!\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s second declaration carried more indignation than the first.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy baby, my green-eyed boy, I searched; I searched so long, so, so long; and now I\u2019ve found you.\u00a0 Now, we can go.\u201d\u00a0 Her sobs held both joy and longing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Having regained his breath, Ben spoke with hoarse softness.\u00a0 \u201cRun, Joseph, get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard Pa, Joseph!\u00a0 Get out!\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice was louder and more forceful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t leave\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ll not leave me again!\u201d\u00a0 Her sobs had stopped, and her voice grown demanding once again.\u00a0 You will mind me this time!\u00a0 Don\u2019t be a naughty boy again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to mind you!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She seemed not to hear him.\u00a0 \u201cI told you no.\u00a0 Papa told you not to touch the rifle.\u00a0 We told you to stay near the wagons. \u00a0Why didn\u2019t you obey?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe frowned and then realized that the woman had slipped closer to him.\u00a0 He took a step back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe looked for you all night.\u00a0 We called and called.\u00a0 Papa promised not to spank you if you came back.\u00a0 They searched again in the light.\u00a0 They said they found you, but I knew it wasn\u2019t you, not the bloody thing they brought to me to bury.\u00a0 I told them you were alive.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t leave.\u00a0 They said we had to go.\u00a0 Snow would fill the mountain passes.\u00a0 They tied me in the wagon. I got away. I came back, Josiah.\u00a0 I searched.\u00a0 I searched so long.\u00a0 I searched the forest and then the searching was different, but I didn\u2019t stop.\u00a0 Then I saw you, my green-eyed boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not Josiah.\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe looked directly at the woman.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry you lost him, but I\u2019m not your son.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s voice was gentle and respectful with a soft empathy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot Josiah?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2019m not Josiah; I\u2019m Joseph.\u00a0 Joseph Francis Carwright, my name is in that Bible, in my pa\u2019s Bible that he\u2019s holding.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben opened the Carwright family Bible to the record of his sons\u2019 births and held the book toward the woman.\u00a0 \u201cHere, you can read it here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot Josiah?\u201d\u00a0 Her head snapped up.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t lie to Mama!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not lying!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe darted toward his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll vow on the Bible.\u00a0 Your son wouldn\u2019t vow a lie on the Bible, would he?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shook her head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Little Joe placed his hand on the Bible Ben held, straightened, and spoke clearly.\u00a0 \u201cI vow and swear on my eternal soul that I am not Josiah.\u00a0 I am Joseph Francis Cartwright nobody else.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The woman seemed to crumple in on herself, her hand clutching her chest.\u00a0 \u201cJosiah.\u201d\u00a0 It was a whimper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMama.\u201d\u00a0 The attention of all went immediately to the source of the young voice.\u00a0 A shimmering child stood a few feet behind the woman.\u00a0 \u201cMama, is it you?\u00a0 I waited for you.\u00a0 Did you come at last?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Baby, oh Lord, it is you!\u00a0 My Little Josiah, my green-eyed boy.\u201d\u00a0 Her movement was a blur as was the child\u2019s.\u00a0 When they came together, a blinding light burst outward, and a wave of thunder rocked the entire house as the floor rolled like a wind-blown ocean beneath Little Joe, Ben, and Adam.\u00a0 Then the human occupants of the house lay stunned on the floor while the supernatural visitors disappeared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Minutes later, the front door, whose lock and cross-bar had both broken, was thrown open and Hoss\u2019s voice bellowed across the room and up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cPA!\u00a0 ADAM!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss reached the upper hallway first, followed by Hop Sing and Old Ned.\u00a0 A dozen hands halted at the stairs and milled about the great room prepared to fight but awaiting orders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss saw his little brother and stopped dead before snatching the boy up into his arms.\u00a0 Hop Sing went directly to Ben and began assessing him and then Adam.\u00a0 Old Ned stood over Adam and demanded to know what had happened and if anyone was hurt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the ghosts, Mr. Ned.\u00a0 They exploded. It was the ghosts, Hoss.\u00a0 There was two of \u2018em!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe was the first to speak.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGhosts. Okay, they was ghosts, but what are you doing here, Short Shanks?\u201d\u00a0 Hoss had already determined that his brother was physically unharmed and moved closer to his father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Joseph, what are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUm, well, about that, Pa\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben stood, looked directly at his youngest, and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAre you hurt?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I\u2026, no there ain\u2019t nothing wrong with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThink you ask wrong son.\u201d\u00a0 With Hop Sing\u2019s comment, all eyes settled on Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s nothing, Pa, really.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing snorted as did Old Ned.\u00a0 Ben shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my knee.\u00a0 I jolted it when she let go and dropped us.\u00a0 It\u2019ll be fine\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben exchanged a glance with first Hop Sing and then his middle son before a slight movement of his father\u2019s chin had Hoss setting down one brother only to lift the other from the ground.\u00a0 Before Ben could give the order, Hoss had Adam dangling over his shoulder. \u201cHis room, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPut me DOWN!\u201d\u00a0 Adam started to struggle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBe still before he drops you!\u201d\u00a0 It was a command, and Adam obeyed his father immediately fuming silently while being carried down the hall trailed by Hop Sing, Little Joe, and Joe\u2019s giggle. Ben snorted. \u201cNed, send someone for Doc Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDid that \u2018fore we came up to the house.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhich was against my orders, I might observe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSounded like we\u2019d find the whole house in pieces, so we followed my orders.\u201d\u00a0 The old man straightened, and his look challenged Ben to say a word against his decision.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then\u2026perhaps you should go down and let the hands know they can return to the bunkhouse.\u00a0 I\u2019m almost sure there will be no further problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd when they ask just what the problem was.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cUm\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Ben rubbed his chin.\u00a0 \u201cThere was an on-going misunderstanding that has been resolved.\u00a0 The light and sound, um, merely fireworks, a special and powerful kind of fireworks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The old hand refrained from spitting on Hop Sing\u2019s polished floors.\u00a0 \u201cFireworks it is then.\u201d\u00a0 The looked he gave Ben stated clearly that he expected a true and full explanation but would wait for it to be delivered in private.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd tell everyone to sleep in.\u00a0 Only basic chores and animal care will be done tomorrow, and they are free to go into town early.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat I will.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOne more thing, send someone to the Devlins with my apologies and thanks. Let them know that Little Joe is home and safe, and they need not worry.\u00a0 Oh, and that Joe and I\u2019ll be by to speak to them tomorrow or the next day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll send Matt Potter and tell him he\u2019s free to stop by the McFersons\u2019 on his way back for breakfast.\u00a0 He\u2019s sparkin\u2019 McFerson\u2019s oldest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then I\u2019m sure he won\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot a bit!\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0Old Ned chuckled and turned to leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNed.\u201d\u00a0 Ned turned back toward Ben.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for everything.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou kept Hoss down there longer than I thought you could.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Old Ned shook his head and chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll let him tell you how I managed that.\u00a0 Boss, uh, about Hoss and Little Bit, well, you know how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know.\u201d \u00a0Ned\u2019s hand met Ben\u2019s back with a half-slap half-pat, and Old Ned left to handle matters with the Cartwright hands as was his place.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben went to Adam\u2019s room where his eldest lay upon his bed with Hop Sing, Hoss, and Joe in attendance.\u00a0 Little Joe was chattering a mile a minute.\u00a0 \u201cJoseph.\u201d\u00a0 The chatter stopped.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, put Joe and yourself to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa\u2026\u201d Little\u2019s Joe\u2019s voice was edged with whine.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Hoss\u2019s hand covered Joe\u2019s mouth and turned the sputtering boy toward the door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut nothing.\u00a0 Pa done had about all the disobeying he\u2019s gonna take.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss whispered his observation into Little Joe\u2019s ear and kept him moving toward his room at a quick pace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon\u2019s knee out. Need doctor.\u00a0 No let boy up \u2018til doctor come.\u00a0 I tend to things and bring up doctor when he get here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll stay put.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing departed muttering Chinese, and Ben set a chair next to Adam\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone is fine?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head. \u201cYes, except, of course, for my eldest.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam relaxed against a pile of pillows.\u00a0 \u201cYour eldest will be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he shall, because my eldest will be following the doctor\u2019s orders to the letter.\u201d\u00a0 Ben caught Adam\u2019s eye roll.\u00a0 \u201cTo the letter!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 The was no trace of submission in the reply.\u00a0 Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cDo you really think that things are, well, resolved, uh, at an end?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben\u2019s ankle settled on his knee.\u00a0 \u201cActually, I do.\u201d\u00a0 His eyebrow raised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI do too.\u00a0 She\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCould never rest without finding her son which I understand completely.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018For you I would wait forever outside of heaven\u2019s door.\u2019\u00a0 I read that somewhere.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked directly at his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve a feeling Heaven has two new souls.\u201d\u00a0 Ben nodded agreement.\u00a0 \u201cThey must have been part of one of the really early wagon trains.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd buried the child somewhere, well, the grave must have disappeared before we arrived.\u201d Ben\u2019s eyes had grown sorrowful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI doubt the woman even had a grave.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe could\u2026 if we had a name, we could\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll make a cross.\u00a0 Hoss can on carve it.\u00a0 We\u2019ll put it by the lake.\u00a0 Say some prayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood.\u00a0 We\u2019ll do that.\u201d\u00a0 Ben saw Adam wince from only a slight shift of his weight. \u201cWe\u2019ve laudanum. Do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I do not.\u201d\u00a0 Adam hated the drug and fought taking it despite even considerable pain. He widened his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, now it\u2019s \u2018Please, Pa\u2019 and that look.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s worked from time to time, not often, but once in a while.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled softly and seemed much younger lying there than he had in years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head ruefully.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not really upset with the boys, are you? They\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam decided to avoided words such as disobeyed<\/em> in any form.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, I think, well, it would seem Little Joe, well, he had a part in it turning out favorably.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it would have if he hadn\u2019t arrived.\u00a0 And Hoss came with Ned.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWith Ned?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThey arrived together.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI have quite a lot to discuss with all <\/em>of my sons, but, well, this was a unique circumstance\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI hope it was completely unique!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs I was saying, since this was a singular occurrence, discussion should suffice.\u201d\u00a0 Ben watched Adam\u2019s smile spread and then deepen.\u00a0 \u201cJoe will have to apologize to Isaac, of course, and if he decides to administer a swat or two for deceit, well, Joseph will accept respectfully.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like it would be a lick amiss.\u00a0 That boy!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs no more headstrong than his elder brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam shrugged and then studied his father.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s why, when it was just you and I on the trail, and when Hoss was young, that\u2019s why you had to be\u2026 well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy I had a quicker and heavier hand than I do with Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, I understand the necessity now that I\u2019m grown.\u201d\u00a0 Adam watched his father\u2019s head cock as his eyebrow rose.\u00a0 \u201cWell, most of the time I understand even if I might grumble about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben gave Adam the smile that belonged only to him and reached out brushing Adam\u2019s curls from his brow. \u201cTry to rest until Paul comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 The words were dutiful, the tone respectful, and the corners of Adam\u2019s smile quirked only slightly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben reached for his Bible, found the page he wanted, and began to read softly every verse on obedience Adam had copied as punishment on Sunday afternoons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: Adam told everyone it had to be a prank, but he could not say who, how, or why, and even Ben Cartwright eventually wondered if it was happening at other than human hands. \u00a0This was written for the 2026 Michael Landon Birthday Literary Challenge. Rating: teen\u00a0\u00a0 word count: 3796<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":8202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","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},"categories":[1008,30,29,40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","category-prequels","category-halloween","category-challenges","wpcat-1008-id","wpcat-30-id","wpcat-29-id","wpcat-40-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\/2014\/04\/lightning.jpg?fit=200%2C252&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70605","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\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=70605"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70608,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70605\/revisions\/70608"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=70605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=70605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=70605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}