<\/p>\n
Summary:\u00a0<\/span>A broken hand and an angry Adam, Hoss isn’t having a very good day.<\/span><\/p>\n Rated:<\/span> K+ Word\u00a0count:\u00a0<\/span> 524<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Broken Bone<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve broken it!\u201d Adam\u2019s tone was curt and admonishing. Then he sighed as he stared down at his brother\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt will heal.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have to if you hadn\u2019t plowed it into the doorframe.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHad to hit something, and that doorframe was handy.\u201d The reply was matter of fact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes. \u201cI guess it\u2019s a good thing a cast iron stove wasn\u2019t handy. Then it might have broken in three or four places.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA body gets mad sometimes, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But it\u2019s not usually you!<\/i> Adam looked into Hoss\u2019s face and sighed again. \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just hit what made you mad and save yourself a broken hand?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cToo angry. I would have really hurt him, Adam. This is better.\u201d A slightly pleading tone had entered Hoss\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah, this is really fine. You\u2019re going to be one-handed for weeks.\u201d Adam\u2019s words were sharp with sarcasm and bitterness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAt least I\u2019m not a southpaw like Joe. I\u2019ll get along fine. Ya don\u2019t have to worry; I\u2019ll still pull my weight.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam gave his brother a rueful glare. \u201cIt takes a team of oxen to pull your weight. Besides you know that\u2018s not why I\u2019m angry.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen just what burr is under your saddle? It\u2019s not like I can\u2019t tell you\u2019re mad at me.\u201d A slight irritation had crept into Hoss\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked down at the large hand resting on his thigh. \u201cYou hurt my little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s brow furrowed with puzzlement. \u201cLittle Joe ain\u2019t even. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t say baby brother.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Hoss smiled. \u201cYou got to remember I\u2019m grown, and you don\u2019t have to look after me no more. I can take care of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is an example of how well you do?\u201d The only tone left in Adam\u2019s voice was exasperation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s eyes grew serious. \u201cIt is, Elder Brother, if ya think on it. A little old broken bone in that big hand of mine don\u2019t hurt half as much as carting around a load of guilt.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam looked up into the clear blue of his brother\u2019s eyes and accepted that Hoss\u2019s words were simply true. \u201cWell, don\u2019t expect me to cool Pa down for you when he hears.\u201d Adam shook his head and then smiled. \u201cCome on. We\u2019re going over to the doctor\u2019s. I lay you ten to one he puts one of those new plaster casts on it.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe could just put my hand in a sling.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt needs to heal properly. Come on. Let\u2019s get it over with.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The two brothers rose. Hoss cradled his injured hand against his chest, and Adam slipped an arm around his brother\u2019s shoulders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan ya at least be there when I tell Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI guess I can.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With one last shake of Adam\u2019s head, they walked toward Dr. Martin\u2019s office.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n