Summary –\u00a0 It’s a small world; Bonanza style<\/p>\n
Rated – G\u00a0\u00a0 \/\u00a0 Word count – 2,446<\/p>\n
**Written for the 2014 Bonanza Roundup Writer’s Seminar**<\/p>\n
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Til We Meet AGain<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam Cartwright jolted awake as the stagecoach hit a particularly rough patch of road. It had been seven years since he\u2019d been home, and he was anxious to see his family again, but he wouldn\u2019t have minded a bit if the stagecoach driver slowed down. Particularly around sharp corners!<\/em> Adam quickly grabbed at the window frame to keep from sliding as the driver Hawed the horses around a tight turn. Eventually the road smoothed out and Adam, having given up any ideas of catching a nap, opened his travel bag. Inside were two piles of letters tied together with twine. No one could ever accuse you, Pa, of not keeping in touch.<\/em> Adam chuckled to himself and reached for the most current letter. Rereading it, he smiled. His father was aglow with stories of the newest Cartwright addition. And he always accused Hoss of being the one to bring home waifs. At least we know he came by it honestly.<\/em><\/p>\n The corners of Adam\u2019s mouth turned down as he read through the letter again. Something about the boy\u2019s story and description were tugging at the edges of his memory . . .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ~~~Ten Years Earlier~~~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Twilight was looming as Adam Cartwright headed for the large boarding house in Tubac, AZ where he\u2019d acquired a room earlier that evening. It had taken him a week of finagling to convince his father to let him come and observe the town\u2019s fast growing silver mines, though in the end it was more the prospect of acquiring new cattle that had finally caused his pa to relent.<\/p>\n Instead of entering through the front, Adam went around back where he knew there was a large porch. Finding an empty rocker, he sat and marveled at the view before him. The sky was beautiful. Immense and open, it reminded him of his own home, but here the sky seemed to blend with the desert browns and yellows, covering the heavens above it with a soft blanket of gold. That night there were large pillowy clouds in the sky and he watched them shift and change shape until, slowly, they were replaced by thousands of twinkling stars. You can\u2019t see sights like this staying at home, Pa.<\/em> With a sigh, he rose and entered the boarding house. Tomorrow was the only day he had in this little town and he intended to make the most of it.<\/p>\n The next morning, Adam was, this time, on the front porch awaiting what he hoped would be a glorious sunrise, he wasn\u2019t disappointed. The man at the livery stable hadn\u2019t been kidding when he\u2019d said the sky was the town\u2019s main entertainment. An hour later, he had his room tidy and bag packed ready to head out that evening then, deciding against the noisy dining room below, crossed the street toward the little tavern he\u2019d seen the day before. As he neared the board walk he smiled at the sight of a small red-haired boy sitting on an upturned barrel. He guessed the child to be no more than three or four years old.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, good morning,\u201d Adam said tipping his hat to the boy. \u201cYou\u2019re up mighty early. Where are your folks?\u201d<\/p>\n The little boy, hands folded in his lap, looked up and began to swing his legs. \u201cMama\u2019s inside. She\u2019s workin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam felt a twinge of sympathy as memories of his own childhood flooded back to him. How many times did I sit just like this waiting for you, Pa?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cMama says,\u201d the little boy continued, \u201cthat if I\u2019m real good she might get a pancake for me.\u201d<\/p>\n From the large smile on the boy\u2019s face, Adam guessed that pancakes were a favorite. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be sure to put in a good word for you,\u201d he said and, after giving the boy a wink, went inside. The tavern was small but relatively clean, and to Adam\u2019s satisfaction nearly empty of occupants. Finding a table near the window, he was watching the town wake up when a large crash coming from what he assumed to be the bar\u2019s kitchen caught his attention. He quickly stood up and looked toward the back room. A woman, who, if her red hair was any indication, was the little boy\u2019s mother, had dropped a stack of dishes and was now picking up the broken pieces. A large bear of a man stood over her screaming obscenities.<\/p>\n \u201cThat will be coming straight out of your pay, you worthless-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me,\u201d Adam interrupted the man\u2019s tirade. \u201cI\u2019d like to get some breakfast if you don\u2019t mind. Does this young lady take the orders?\u201d<\/p>\n The man turned on Adam, mouth open and fist clenched, but Adam stood his ground and fixed the man with a dark gaze.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, get on with you then,\u201d the man snapped at the young girl, \u201cbut I\u2019m warnin\u2019 you. One more time and you\u2019ll be out on your ear!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked back to his seat and waited for the woman to finish cleaning up. When she finally approached his table he could see that she\u2019d been crying, and from the bandage on her finger it was evident that she\u2019d cut herself. \u201cAre you all right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n The woman sniffed and managed a weak smile. \u201cWhat can I get for you this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched her face for a moment before lowering his eyes to the limited menu. \u201cWell . . .\u201d he said, trying to sound cheerful. Just then he caught a glimpse of the small boy through the window. He was chucking pebbles into a nearby water trough. Adam smiled. \u201cI\u2019d like the plate of ham and eggs, some biscuits, coffee black, and a stack of pancakes, please.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman\u2019s eyebrows rose for a moment, but then she nodded. \u201cComing right up.\u201d<\/p>\n After the woman went back to the kitchen Adam ran a hand through his hair. Guess I better visit the barber first. <\/em>He chuckled to himself and then mentally laid out his plans for the day. Little Joe\u2019s twenty-first birthday was just a few months away, and he hoped to find a gift before leaving. He smiled at the red-haired woman when she arrived with his food, and was pleased when she smiled back. The meal was excellent, and after wrapping the pancakes in a napkin, he made sure to leave a generous tip.<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d he said to the little boy upon exiting. \u201cI see you\u2019re still here, and behaving quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n The youngster tilted up his freckled face and grinned. \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed and then presented the boy with his longed-for prize. The child\u2019s mouth fell open at the sight of not one, but five warm, fluffy pancakes. The boy\u2019s eyes shone as he glanced up, and Adam tipped his hat once again before crossing the street toward the barber\u2019s.<\/p>\n After his haircut, Adam headed across to the saddlery. He was half-way down the street before he realized he was sporting two shadows. Turning, he grinned at the sight of the small boy following a short distance behind him. Bending down on one knee, he raised a hand and crooked his finger. \u201cName?\u201d he asked when the boy got close.<\/p>\n \u201cJamie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAge?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m almost four.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just about right.\u201d Adam pursed his lips and looked the boy up and down. \u201cYes, you\u2019ll do. How\u2019d you like to be my assistant?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s question was rewarded with a beaming smile and a loud, \u201cSure, mister!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Adam said, “I need to buy a birthday gift for my little brother. What do you suggest?\u201d<\/p>\n Jamie stepped out, gazing at each shop in turn. \u201cHow \u2018bout a new jacket?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took in the boy\u2019s bedraggled appearance, sure that the stains and tears on his own little jacket were the cause of such practical thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, that\u2019s not a bad idea,\u201d he answered. \u201cHis muscles have been growing so much lately that he\u2019s gonna bust right through the one he\u2019s got.\u201d Adam held up his own arm and showed off some muscle causing the little boy\u2019s eyes to grow round. Laughing, Adam scooped him up and they turned away from the saddlery toward a small shop that had garments hanging in the window.<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s a good one,\u201d Jamie said, after they\u2019d been in the store a few minutes.<\/p>\n Adam looked at the green jacket and tapped his chin with his finger. \u201cWell, I don\u2019t know. Are you sure he wouldn\u2019t rather have a new pink bonnet?\u201d<\/p>\n The little boy giggled and shook his head. Adam took the jacket down from its display and examined it. I think this will look good on you, little brother. <\/em>After making the purchase the pair headed outside and Adam dug a coin from his pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cNow,\u201d he said, handing it to Jamie, \u201cI\u2019ve got another brother that will never forgive me if I don\u2019t bring him a little something too, so I\u2019m going across to the general store.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe too,\u201d the little boy piped up, clutching his coin.<\/p>\n Adam took the boy\u2019s hand and they went into the little store. Once inside, Jamie let go and ran straight to the many jars full of sweet treats. After Adam had collected the items he would need for his journey home, he turned his own attention to the candy and picked out an assortment for Hoss. \u201cHave you decided what you want?\u201d he asked Jamie.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir. I want some green jellybeans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust green?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll right,\u201d Adam chuckled, and turned to the storekeeper. \u201cWe\u2019ll also take a bag of green jellybeans.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMister, if you think I\u2019m gonna spend all day sortin\u2019 jellybeans, think again.\u201d<\/p>\n Little Jamie\u2019s hands flew to his hips at the man\u2019s sour tone, but Adam placed a hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAll right then,\u201d he said turning them both toward the door, \u201cI\u2019m sure the mercantile down the street will-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, all right, come on back. A bag of\u2014green\u2014jellybeans it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded his thanks to the man and gave Jamie a quick wink. As soon as they exited the store they were blasted by a frantic cry.<\/p>\n \u201cJamie! Where have you been?\u201d the boy\u2019s distraught mother called. \u201cYou know better than to go off on your own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t, Ma. I was with this man. I\u2019m his astinant.\u201d<\/p>\n The frazzled woman looked to Adam in confusion.<\/p>\n \u201cI, uh, think he means assistant,\u201d Adam said, his tone apologetic. \u201cHe followed me from the tavern this morning, and I hired him to help me out with some chores.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman\u2019s face smoothed considerably as Adam explained, but she still turned to her son with a sharp reprimand. \u201cAll right, young man, but next time you ask before going off, understand?\u201d<\/p>\n The small boy nodded sheepishly. \u201cYou head on to the wagon now,\u201d his mother said, and Adam watched as Jamie turned to obey. He was surprised when the little boy stopped and then turned back to give him a quick hug, before taking off.<\/p>\n Adam turned to the woman with a grin. \u201cI notice you said wagon. Are you folks traveling?\u201d<\/p>\n The woman lost some of the smile she\u2019d had seconds before. \u201cI guess you could say that. We\u2019ll be leaving . . . soon. As soon as . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you two on your own?\u201d Adam asked gently.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no, Jamie\u2019s father is, well,\u201d the woman sighed. \u201cHe\u2019s in jail right now. It\u2019s not what you think,\u201d she added quickly. \u201cHe hasn\u2019t done anything wrong. Just the men in town got mad and-\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s all right,\u201d Adam interrupted. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to explain anything to me.\u201d<\/p>\n The woman stared intently at Adam for a moment. \u201cYou\u2019re a different kind of man,\u201d she said finally. \u201cThank you, for what you did for my son. It\u2019s been a long time since . . . since anyone\u2019s been kind to him.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam shrugged, more to get rid of the tightness in his chest than to protest. \u201cHe\u2019s a good boy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes he is. Well, I best be goin\u2019 now. Take care of yourself, mister, uh . . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCartwright. My name\u2019s Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, then, Mr. Cartwright, it was nice meeting you.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled and watched her leave. It wasn\u2019t until she was around the corner that it dawned on him he hadn\u2019t asked her name. He thought about running after her, but a sudden idea came over him, and he turned instead toward the jail he\u2019d seen on the edge of town. Entering the building he found the sheriff tipped back in a chair behind a desk, snores loud enough to rival his brother Hoss. He stepped past the sheriff into a side room and examined the cells. There was only one prisoner, and the man\u2019s slumped posture radiated defeat. Adam\u2019s stomach knotted at the sight of multiple bruises across the man\u2019s face and neck. Starting to pull together the bits and pieces of information he\u2019d gathered from Jamie\u2019s prattle, as well as the boy\u2019s mother, Adam soon arrived at a conclusion. Rainmaker! Boy, you sure chose a tough line of work. They nearly tore you apart. <\/em>As if the man could hear Adam\u2019s thoughts he raised his head, and though one eye was swollen shut, the other managed to convey the depth of his despondency. Having made up his mind, Adam gave Jamie\u2019s father a polite nod, and then returned to the Sheriff\u2019s desk. He pulled out a bag of coins, making sure to jingle them loudly, and dropped it on the desk. The sheriff jumped and peered through questioning eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cThis should about cover any, uh, misunderstandings,\u201d Adam said nodding his head toward the prisoner.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Later that evening, Adam halted his horse on a hillside and watched the small wagon make its way into the mountains, heading toward east. As it rounded the final corner out of his sight, he tipped his hat. \u201cTil we meet again,\u201d he said, then whistling he turned due west, toward the land of desert and mountains, toward home . . .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ~~~<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Jamie Cartwright picked up the picture on his pa\u2019s desk for the tenth time that day. There was something familiar about his pa\u2019s oldest son, though he couldn\u2019t quite place it. Maybe it\u2019s the eyes. <\/em>He jumped slightly when the image of those eyes seemed to wink at him. He placed the silver framed picture down gently.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Little Joe,\u201d he yelled before dashing out of the house. \u201cI changed my mind. Can I go to town with you and Hoss? I . . . I\u2019d kind of like to meet Adam when he comes in on the stage. Besides\u2019, I\u2019ve got a hankerin\u2019 for some green jellybeans.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ~The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tags:\u00a0\u00a0Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Jamie Hunter Cartwright<\/p>\n