“Home
is where the Heart is”
By Munchkin J
The stage bounced and rocked, seeming to hit every stone and pothole in the
road. It was little more then a dirt trail and a world away from the neat,
cobbled streets of his birthplace. Buildings were coming into sight through the
dust in the distance, the Church spire and mine heads standing tall against the
horizon.
The rocking motion seemed to intensify the horrible churning feeling in his
stomach, a mixture of excitement, joy and nerves stretched so tight he thought
they would snap. For a while Adam had toyed with the idea of staying in
Hanging his head out the window he watched
"Hello Hoss, its good to see you too." He wheezed.
"Hoss, please put your brother down, he's turning blue." Pa chuckled
as he watched the over flowing joy light up Hoss' face. Moments later Adam was
unceremoniously deposited on the ground.
"By golly Adam, you've sure grown." Hoss' smile was so wide it shone
like sunshine, tears of joy in his eyes for the brother he'd missed everyday
for the last four years.
"Your not so small yourself brother." Adam grinned back, dimples
dotting his cheeks as he looked Hoss up and down, surprised at the enormity of
his brother's stature. He'd been taller before leaving, and even though Adam
himself had grown to over 6ft and filled out to become a man, Hoss stood
several inches taller and a whole heap wider.
"Its good to see you son." Like Hoss, Ben was unable to contain his
emotions and grabbing Adam behind the neck, pulled his son into a fierce
embrace, his heart over flowing with happiness and relief for his son's safe
return. And like Adam with his brother, Ben was shocked by the change in his
eldest. Gone was the awkward long-limbed youth, the son that stood before him
now was a dark haired, handsome young man.
For a few moments no one noticed the pair of sad little eyes watching them,
eyes filled with warring emotions and barely contained tears of frustration. He
raged between joy for his beloved big brother and over riding anger for the
person he viewed as a betrayer. He hadn't forgotten the promise Adam made when
his Ma died. He'd promised never to leave him, but that had been broken when
Adam left for college. Joe adored his big brother but he had broken his promise
and for that the boy would never forgiven him.
Pulling free of his father's embrace, feeling a little embarrassed for the
public display of affection Adam felt the tingle between his shoulder blades
and knew he was being watched. Realisation struck that someone was missing and
the twisting cold of his stomach returned. He'd dreaded this moment, knowing
that of all the people he had left behind this one had been the hardest.
Turning he put on his best smile, fighting hard to hide the nervousness he felt
at seeing his baby brother for the first time in 4 years. The little boy before
him was so familiar and so different, he never dreamt how much 4 years could
change a boy.
"Hey Little Buddy." When Joe didn't respond and merely glared at Adam
he moved hesitantly closer.
"Promise breaker." Were the only two words Joe spoke, with a voice
full of anger, anguish and confusion. Then he turned and ran to the waiting
buggy, throwing himself in the back and refusing to look at his family. Adam
watched him go and with him the hope that his brother had forgiven him. He
sighed, setting his face in an expressionless mask, hiding the turmoil beneath
to everyone but the man who knew him best.
A warm hand came to rest on his shoulder. "Give him time son." Ben
whispered gently then added a little louder. "Come on boys, lets go
home." Squeezing Adam's shoulder he and Hoss picked up Adam's luggage and
headed for the buggy. For a moment Adam watched them go, uncertain and afraid
of the consequences of his return home. Then his mouth set in a hard line as he
fuelled his resolve, walking with a purpose towards the buggy.
He would gain Joe's forgiveness if it was the last thing he did. His baby
brother was after all, one of the four reasons he'd come home
The
End