Joe Cartwright raked his fingers through his
hair and turned to look out the window just in time to see a streak of
lightening flash across the sky. Closing his eyes, he listened to the sound of
the raging storm. The rain beat harshly against the windowpane and a crash of
thunder resonated throughout the house.
“Are your brothers home yet?” It was the same question his father asked
every night.
“They’re not here, Pa,” Joe answered.
“Well, I hope they’ve found shelter
somewhere.”
After years, Joe had almost become complacent
in his response, but tonight his heart was heavy and he found it more difficult
to answer than usual. “I’m sure they
have, Pa.”
“Well, young man,” his father said, his deep,
confident baritone reminding Joe of a time long past. “I think it’s past your
bedtime. You’d best get to sleep.”
Joe smiled and tucked the blanket around his
father’s shoulders, thankful that at least one of them could remain oblivious
to his silver mane and weathered features. “Yeah, that goes for you too, Pa.”
Ben chuckled. “You giving me orders now, boy?”
“Just for awhile,” he said with a wink.
“I’ll be back on my feet soon, and then we’ll
just see who’s in charge around here.” Ben told him with feigned sternness.
Joe’s smile momentarily faltered as he found
himself suddenly battling an aching, empty sense of loss and loneliness --
feelings he thought he’d suppressed long ago.
“Is everything alright, son?” his father asked
with concern.
Joe forced another smile. “Yeah, guess I’m
just tired. G’night, Pa.”
Ben returned the smile. “Goodnight, son,” he
said and closed his eyes. Moments later, he was fast asleep, a soft look of
contentment on his face.
Joe went down the stairs and over to his desk
-- the desk that years before had been his father’s. He picked up the letter
he’d received earlier that day and once again read its contents. There had been
a time when the words would have brought him to tears; when he would have cried
out in anguish, pleading for it not to be so. But, that time was long past. For
now it was up to him to be strong, to comfort and protect.
Hoss was long gone and now Adam too. The two
of them, together now; never more to be apart. And soon their Pa would join
them and Joe would be left alone. No more alone than he was now. No more alone
than he had been for years.
Joe Cartwright raked his fingers through his
hair, swiveled the leather chair around and looked out into the night sky just
in time to see the moon peak out from behind the clouds. Closing his eyes, he
listened to the sounds of the dissipating storm. The rain gently pattered
against the windowpane and the soft rumble of thunder could be heard in the
distance.