From Funny, To Bad, and Back
Part 2


By:  Lynne G.

Finally Adam and Dr. Paul Martin arrive at the Ponderosa, and they head right to Little Joe's bedroom.  "Paul I'm so glad you got here so fast" said Ben.  "Tell me Ben, has the boy awken yet"?, asked Paul.   "No he has hasn't" said Ben.  " Ben, I want you and the boys to go downstairs while I check Little Joe" asked Paul.   "Paul there's NO way Hoss and I are going to leave" Adam told Paul.  " Oh alright, but please stay out of my way"  Paul said.
 
"The boy has a severe concussion Ben" Paul told Ben, Hoss and Adam.   " Paul, when will he wake up?" asked Ben.  "Ben, with head injuries there is no way of telling.  We just have to wait and see" Paul sadly told Ben and the boys.  "Tell me Paul, is Little Joe going to die?" asked Adam.  " He could Adam, but just don't know.   I'm sorry.   All I can say to do is to keep calling his name, talk to him, watch him closely, and don't leave him alone for one minute.   Adam, you might want to read to him.  Maybe hearing his family talking to him will help.  You could also touch his face, hold his hand, and rub his back.  The physical contact could very much help"  suggested Paul.
 
Over the next few days, the Cartwrights did everything Paul suggested.   Nothing they did seemed to bring Little Joe any closer to waking up.   Paul came out everyday to check on the youngest Cartwright.
 
Little Joe seemed to be having a very strange dream.  He was sleeping in a meadow of sweet smelling flowers.  As he slowly opened his eyes he looked up and he saw the face of a beautiful woman who was holding him in her arms.  As he looked around at this very peaceful place and at this beauitful woman, who was smiling at him, he softly asked " where I'm I?  Who are you"?  " I'm your mama, my precious boy" said Marie softly.  " What"? asked a very confused Little Joe.  "Yes darling-I'm your mama" Marie told him.  As the boy started to say" but you are-----" Marie interrupted him and said "I know honey"  Little Joe again asked Marie where he was, and she said " baby, we are at the sweet meadow of the rainbow".   The boy was speechless, as he kept looking around, and he finally said " it is so peaceful here mama".   "Yes it is baby" said Marie.  
 
"Mama, why I'm I here"? asked the boy.   " Baby, you needed to get away for a while, so I brought you here" Marie told her son.   "Mama, why did you leave me?  Didn't you love me anymore"? asked Little Joe as his eyes filled with tears.  " Oh my precious baby, I didn't want to leave you, but God needed me to be with him sweetheart.  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, AND I ALWAYS WILL.   Do you understand baby what I am saying to you"?  Marie softly asked him.  " I...I think so mama" said Little Joe.  
 
Marie and Little Joe spent a few more days together.  One morning Marie told her baby boy that his Pa, and brothers loved him very much, and that they needed him to come back to them.  " Mama, I want to stay here with you" cried Little Joe.  " Sweetheart I know you do, but you can't-not for a long time to come.  You need to go back now baby" as she held the boy in her arms and kissed the top of his head.  Remember what I have told you baby, I'm ALWAYS with you.  You can talk to me anytime you need to.  Now you need to go back sweetheart.  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DARLING" Marie told her son.  "Mama don't leave me.  MAMA...MAMA....MAMA..."!!!!!!  cried the boy.   "MAMA...MAMA....MAMA"!!!!!!!.
 
"Pa, Pa" yelled Adam, I think Little Joe is waking up".   Hoss and Ben ran into Little Joe's room.  "Mama...mama... mama don't leave me" mumbled the boy in a very weak voice.   His family stared at him and they listened to what he was saying.  "Pa, do you hear what he is saying" said Hoss.   " Yes, son I do" cried Ben.  By now Hoss, Adam, and Ben were also crying.  
 
" I think he's been with his mama" Adam said as tears ran down his face.  They calling the boys' name and touching his face.  
 
Little Joe slowly opened his eyes, and softly asked " where's mama.  Mama... Mama..?"  "Baby, she is with God" cried Ben as he softly ran his fingers through his son's curly hair.  Little Joe slowly looked around his room, and at his family.   "How do you feel little brother"? asked Adam, who was holding the boys' hand.  In a very weak voice, Little Joe said, " my head kinda hurts and I'm so tired".   
 
Hoss asked his little brother if he would like a drink of water,and the boy slowly nodded his head.  Hoss gently lifted Little Joe's head and he put a glass of water up to his brothers' lips.  Little Joe sipped some water.  "There ya go, Joey, just take small sipps.  Good boy" said Hoss with a big smile on his face.   "Thanks Hoss" said Little Joe in a whisper.   " Little Joe, son, you need to get some sleep now.  I'll be right here with you if you need anything" Ben told his youngest son.  The boy closed his eyes and fell into a nice restful sleep.  
 
When Dr. Martin came out later that day to check Little Joe, he was very happy to know that the boy had woke up, and talked.   He told the boys' family that the boy would be fine, but he wanted him to stay in bed and rest for a couple of weeks.   He also said the boy need some good food too.   "Hop Sing make boy eat good, you see" said Hop Sing.
 
Several weeks later, Little Joe was almost back to normal.  His headaches were getting less and less, and he was starting to tease his brothers again, much to the relief of his Pa and brothers-but did Little Joe learn his lesson?   Probably, but then we all know what he is like.  Under that sweet, innocent looking face, there is a fun loving Little Joe.  God bless him!!!!!
 
THE END


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