A TEACHER FOR ADAM
By: Deborah S.
 
 
Little Adam stood by his bedroom window watching his uncles Hoss and Joe 
load the buckboard. He wished instead of doing his school work he could be 
down there helping. He wanted to work on the ranch not do school work. 
Little Adam watched them so intently he didn’t see his father ride up on 
Sport until it was too late. He spotted his father on Sport looking up at 
him. Little Adam moved away from the window. “I’m in trouble now,” he said 
to himself. He walked over to his desk sitting down in the chair trying to 
look like he had been working.
 
A short time later Little Adam could hear footsteps walking towards his 
door. He took a deep breath knowing full well it was his father. His 
father walked in his room and stood over him. “Done with your homework?” 
Adam asked.
 
“No,” Little Adam replied with fear on his face.
 
“Almost done?” Adam asked.
 
“No,” Little Adam replied. Adam pulled out his son’s chair. “On your bed 
right now,” he said. Little Adam looked up at his father first then walked 
to his bed. He sat down on the side of the bed. His father stood before 
him looking down at him. “You haven’t done your school work but you had 
time to stand by the window?” Adam asked.
 
“I was taking a break,” Little Adam replied.
 
“A break from what?” Adam asked.
 
“Oh boy. Father why do I have to do school work anyway? I have enough 
money from my grandfather to live a hundred lifetimes,” Little Adam replied. 
 Adam knew this was coming someday. “Education is a very important thing. 
Adam you’re a bright young man. Very intelligent. Back in New York you 
were always making the best grades possible. Now I have to force you to do 
any work. I want an explanation and I want it now,” Adam said.
 
Little Adam took a deep breath and replied, “I want to mend fences and 
move cattle and all the other things you do on The Ponderosa. I can’t 
explain it father but it’s how I feel. I want to ride Sugar all day. I 
feel like I’m wasting my time with this homework.” Adam sat down on the bed 
next to his son. He put his right arm around his son’s back. “Son I 
realize all of this here is so new and exciting to you. If you can complete 
all your homework assignments for the week then we can talk about your 
helping around The Ponderosa. If you do not complete these assignments I 
will have punish you. The first thing I will do is take Sugar away from you 
until you change your ways,” Adam replied.
 
“Take Sugar away? You wouldn’t would you father?” Little Adam asked.
 
“Adam you are my son. I am your father. It is my responsibility to see 
that you do what is right. Now granted I haven’t been a father for very 
long but I do know right from wrong and what‘s best for you,” Adam said.
 
“Father do you sometimes wish you’d never heard of me?” Little Adam asked.
 
“No but you know that already. You see son you may not realize it but I was 
your age once. I know all the guilt words. It’s not going to help here,” 
Adam replied.
 
“No?” Little Adam asked looking at his father.
 
“No.” Adam replied looking back. Adam cleared his throat. “Listen why 
don’t we do this. You still have time to get today’s lessons done. If you 
do that then you and I can go riding before dinner. How does that sound?” 
he asked.
 
“That sounds great. I’ll get started right away,” Little Adam replied 
walking over and sitting at his desk.  Adam stood and walked to the door. 
“Adam when I have to get tough son it’s not something I enjoy. I’m your 
father and it’s my responsibility to be tough when I need to be. Do you 
understand that?” he asked.
 
“Yes father,” Little Adam replied. Adam walked out the door closing it 
behind him. He walked downstairs. Ben was working at his desk. Adam 
walked up to him. “Troubles son?” Ben asked. Adam sat down on the edge of 
the desk. “It shows?” he asked.
 
“Yes,” Ben replied.
 
“Pa I hate to give him ultimatums but he has to do his school work. Back in 
New York he couldn’t get enough school work. Here he just doesn’t have any 
ambition to do it. Am I doing something wrong?” Adam asked. Ben stopped 
his writing and looked up at Adam. “No son you aren’t doing anything wrong. 
 I think you feel guilty about having to show discipline to Little Adam 
because you weren’t there all his life. You also know what he has been 
through. You can’t afford to appear weak in front of him. He’s a very 
intelligent young man. He’ll take advantage of that. He reminds me of 
someone I knew at that age,” Ben said.
 
“Me?” Adam asked looking down at his father.
 
“You. That boy is definitely your son. He looks and thinks just like you. 
 Adam have you thought about putting him in that new school starting soon?” 
 Ben asked.
 
“The one Barbara is going to teach that’s halfway between here and Virginia 
City?” Adam asked.
 
“Yes. Talk to Barbara about it. I’m sure she could help you to decide,” 
Ben said.
 
“Pa I don’t know. He’s so fragile yet. He is not like the boys around here. 
He wasn’t raised like them,” Adam replied.
 
“Is it that so much Adam or the fact that you’re afraid of his being 
kidnapped?” Ben asked. Adam put his teeth together. “That’s a big part of 
it. Not only do people know that he’s the only grandchild of Ben Cartwright 
but they also know his grandfather was wealthy. Maybe I should take Adam 
somewhere else to be raised. Somewhere where he’ll fit in and I won’t have 
to worry so much,” Adam said.
 
“Adam I don’t know of anywhere a child could go where a father wouldn’t 
worry about him. Take him where Adam? Back to New York City with all those 
terrible memories? He’s happy here. He loves his life here. He loves 
being here with his uncles and Hop Sing and his grandfather I might add. 
Frankly Adam I’d do everything I could to keep him here. I have missed 
sixteen years of my grandson’s life and I hate to miss another day of it. I 
have no right to tell you what to do. You are his father and you have to 
make that decision,” Ben said.
 
Adam thought for a moment. “You’re right. He’d be miserable back in a big 
city. Damn his grandfather anyway. How could any man be so evil?” Adam 
said walking towards the sofa. Ben walked over to his son placing his right 
hand on Adam’s right shoulder. “Unfortunately Adam the world isn’t full of 
all nice people. I think you should talk to Barbara. Maybe she could give 
you some suggestions. It wouldn’t hurt,” Ben said. Adam nodded his head. 
“Maybe you’re right. I could drive him to school each day and pick him up. 
Pa I just worry about what could happen to him at school,” Adam said.
 
“Adam welcome to fatherhood,” Ben replied.
 
 
A few hours later Adam went upstairs to check on Little Adam’s progress. 
His son was seated at his desk looking at the wall. “You done son?” he 
asked.
 
“Yes sir,” Little Adam replied. Adam reached down to look at his 
schoolwork. He read each page and nodded his head. “Very good. Now I 
guess we could go for that ride,” he said.
 
“Father I’m sorry,” Little Adam said. Adam walked to the front of the desk 
looking down at his son. “I’m glad to hear it. Let’s see if from now on I 
won’t have to threaten you to do your homework,” Adam said.
 
“Yes sir,” Little Adam replied. Adam smiled. “Come on son let’s go for that 
ride,” he said.
 
Their ride took them near Barbara’s house. “There’s someone who lives here 
that I’d like you to meet,” Adam said dismounting Sport. Little Adam 
dismounted Sugar and walked behind his father towards the front door. Adam 
knocked and moments later the door was opened by Barbara. Little Adam looked 
at her and smiled. He thought she was beautiful. “Adam come on in,” 
Barbara said motioning for them to come in. “This must be your son I have 
heard so much about,” she said.
 
Adam smiled. “How could you tell?” he joked.
 
“Lucky guess. Plus the fact he looks like your twin only younger. Hello 
young man I’m Barbara,” she said extending her hand to Little Adam. He took 
it smiling. “Hello,” he replied.
 
“To what do I owe the pleasure of two handsome men coming to visit me?” she 
asked. Adam and Little Adam walked over to the sofa and sat down. “Well I 
um heard you were back and are starting a new school.  I wondered if you 
could give me some details,” Adam said holding his hat in his hands. Little 
Adam did the same. Barbara smiled. “You both have black hats and clothes. 
An excellent color choice,” she said.
 
“Yes well like father like son,” Adam said then cleared his throat.
 
“Well the school is going to begin in another week. I still have some 
things that need to be done. One is the installation of a wood stove and 
the other are the desks. Hard to have school without desks. They are due 
here the end of the next week. Adam are you maybe thinking of joining us?” 
she asked.
 
“Me?” Adam asked.
 
“No your son Adam,” she replied laughing. “How do you get by in one house 
with two Adam’s in it?”
 
“We call him Little Adam,” Adam replied.
 
“I see.  I could see where it would get very confusing. Little Adam I hear 
you are named after not only your father but you grandfather and two uncles. 
 I hear your mother named you?” Barbara asked.
 
“Yes she did. You see it’s customary in my mother’s family that the first 
son be named after several of the father’s family. She insisted they keep 
that tradition with my name. If I had had a brother he would been named 
after my mother’s family,” he replied nervously.
 
“Oh I see. It’s a long name,” she said.
 
“Yes it is but I wouldn’t have wanted to not be named after any of my 
father’s family. They are all very special to me,” Little Adam said.
 
“How sweet. I’ve heard your grandfather spoils you rotten,” Barbara said.
 
Adam laughed. “Barbara you wouldn’t believe it. My father came in the 
other day and caught Joe with his feet on the sofa. He as usual tells Joe 
to get his feet down. Joe puts them back up. Pa tells him to get them down 
again. This has been a family tradition of ours for years. My son here 
puts his feet up on the sofa without realizing what he was doing. My father 
looks over and says nothing. Awhile later Joe sits down on the sofa and 
it‘s Joseph how many times do I have to tell you?” Adam said. Barbara 
laughed. She noticed Adam looking at her. Like he wanted to talk with her 
alone. “Um Little Adam would you like to have a piece of apple pie in the 
kitchen?” she asked.
 
“I sure would,” he replied.
 
“Good then you can go in there and cut yourself a piece. You’ll find the 
pie on the counter and the forks in the drawer right under it. The plates 
are on the hutch,” she said. Little Adam got up heading for the kitchen. 
Adam leaned forward on the sofa to talk softly to Barbara who was seated in 
the chair across from him. “Thank you Barbara. I wanted to talk with you 
about my son. I am afraid to put him into school. My father suggested I 
talk to you about it,” he said.
 
“Oh I see. Why Adam Cartwright are you one of those protective parents I 
hear tell about?” she asked smiling.
 
“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” he replied.
 
“Uh huh,” she said.
 
“It’s not just being overprotective where Adam is concerned. It’s the fact 
that I’m worried about his safety. I don’t think I can do this Barbara. 
I’d never forgive myself if someone came in and took him,” Adam stated.
 
“I understand Adam. I agree. I’d be no match for anyone who was determined 
to kidnap Little Adam. Besides I don’t think any of my female students 
would pay attention to me with him in the room. He’s not the gangly sixteen 
year olds we’re used to. He’s your son and he’s got your build. Not filled 
out as well as you yet but he’s very manish nevertheless. Adam I have an 
excellent idea. Why don’t I teach him? She asked.
 
“You?” Adam asked.
 
“I have a friend who is looking a job and she could take my position at the 
school. I could come each day and teach him. You could pay me my salary. 
I’d be more then happy to do that,” she suggested.
 
“Barbara have you looked at my son since he’s been here? I have the feeling 
that if you teach him he’s not going to be learning anything. He’ll be 
concentrating too much on the teacher,” he replied.
 
“Then why don’t you teach him? You can do it. You’ve done it before,” she 
suggested.
 
“He doesn’t want to do his homework I bring from town each week. I don’t 
know. I don’t think so. What I want is to be more hands off. Look at what 
he’s done each day but let someone else, I don’t know,” he said.
 
“Feeling guilty papa?” she asked.
 
“Yeah. He’s been through so much. He certainly doesn’t need me after him 
all the time about his school work,” Adam replied.
 
“Tell me about his mother, Adam,” Barbara asked.
 
Adam smiled looking down. “Rebecca was my first and only true love. We met 
so young. We had feelings for each other that we tried to control but 
couldn’t. We decided to marry before we did something we maybe shouldn’t. 
She wasn’t the type of girl to um you know before marriage. Anyway um we 
were married and well evidently without my knowledge our son was conceived 
within the first two weeks. Everything was going so well. We were both so 
happy. We knew her father would be coming home soon from his round the 
world trip. Rebecca was his only child and he wanted her in his life 
always. Well anyway I think you know the rest of the story. Rebecca was 
the most beautiful, sweetest person you’d ever meet. She was always happy. 
Always smiled. Sometimes when Adam smiles I see her. He has my mouth but 
her smile, her teeth,” he said.
 
“I heard she killed her father? Is that true?” Barbara asked.
 
“Yes it’s true. Only because he was going to take my son over. Make him 
into the monster he was. She couldn’t let him do that. Also something my 
son doesn’t know. She wrote it in her letter to me. Before she shot her 
father he told her he was going to have me killed as well. He wanted nobody 
around to ever take his grandson away from him. She killed him to protect 
both our son and myself,” Adam said.
 
“But you didn’t know you had a son,” Barbara said.
 
“No but I would have someday,” Adam replied.
 
“How? He thought you were dead,” she said.
 
“Rebecca didn’t name Adam the way she did because of a family tradition. 
She told him that because she couldn’t afford to tell him the truth for fear 
her father would find out. If he suspected his grandson knew the true 
reason behind his name he’d have killed me and my family,” Adam said.
 
“How horrible,” she said.
 
“I have no doubt that he would have anyway in time,” Adam said.
 
“He was a monster,” Barbara said.
 
“Yes he was,” Adam agreed.
 
“Adam what was the reason behind his name?” she asked.
 
“When Adam was born Rebecca knew that there was a chance that something 
would happen to her mysteriously someday. My son was to her father the son 
he never had or could have. This was his only opportunity to create someone 
just like him,” Adam said.
 
“How horrible,” she said.
 
“Yes. Rebecca kept him away from his grandfather. Um it wasn’t too hard 
since his grandfather was so busy with his work and travels. Anyway she 
named him Adam Benjamin Eric Joseph Cartwright because it was a code,” Adam 
said.
 
“A code?” Barbara asked.
 
“Of sorts. She figured that someday when he was older he may hear of any 
one of our names and put two and two together. Her father never allowed him 
to go west with him. Never took he or his mother to San Francisco as an 
example,” he said.
 
“Because your family is known there?” she asked.
 
“Yes. If Adam had mentioned or signed his name most anywhere in San 
Francisco people would have commented on his name. Adam Cartwright. Are 
you by any chance related to THE Adam Cartwright of The Ponderosa? What is 
The Ponderosa? It’s a large ranch owned by Ben Cartwright and his sons 
Adam, Hoss and Joe,” Adam replied.
 
“Hoss wouldn’t be familiar to him,” Barbara stated.
 
“No, no it wouldn’t but Adam, Ben, Joe and Cartwright would be enough for 
him to ask questions. Like is there an Eric Cartwright?” Adam stated.
 
“And the people who would have known your family that well would have known 
that Hoss’s real name is Eric?” she stated.
 
“Exactly. So that was the code,” Adam said.
 
“Very smart. I’m surprised her father allowed her to name him that,” she 
said.
 
“Rebecca explained that in her letter. When Adam was born something in his 
throat wasn’t completely formed. It was flabby instead of being firm. He 
choked most of the time when he breathed. She couldn’t leave his side. Had 
to take him from room to room with her for fear he’d choke to death. Um 
they told her he wouldn’t live past the age of four months. Because of this 
her father agreed to his being named what she named him. Seems the old 
bastard had some compassion after all. She pleaded with him to let her tell 
me about him. He wouldn’t hear of it. Said it would just bring me back into 
her life even with out baby gone,” he said.
 
“But he didn’t die?” She said.
 
“No thank God. Evidently the problem corrected itself in time. When I 
think of what that man did to us. The life I could have had with her and my 
son. Oh it tears my heart out,” he said. Barbara moved to the other side 
of the sofa. “I’m so sorry Adam. I’m so sorry,” she said taking his hand. 
“I wish I could have seen her one more time. Told her how much I loved 
her,” he said.
 
“Adam is that why you never married? Is that why you never give any girls a 
chance in your life because you loved her so?” she asked.
 
“Yes,” he replied.
 
“Did your father know any of this?” she asked.
 
“When I got the letter telling me about my son I told him. I didn’t know how 
he’d take it. He was surprised but understood the circumstances. Wished I 
had told him after I came home but I couldn’t,” he said.
 
“Why?” she asked.
 
“Because,” he replied.
 
“Because why?” she asked.
 
“Because I didn’t understand what happened myself. Barbara we were so 
happy. I couldn’t wait to see her when I came home from school. Each time 
we made love it was so wonderful. There was so much love,” he said putting 
his hand up to his mouth.
 
“Adam if she showed up tomorrow. If she wasn’t dead would you, would you 
make love to her again?” Barbara asked.
 
“In a second. I still love her Barbara,” he replied.
 
“Have you ever had those same feelings for me Adam? Have you ever wanted to 
make love to me?” she asked. Adam looked at her. “I’m a man Barbara. I, 
sure I’ve wanted to but,” he paused.
 
“But you don’t love me and never could? Not like you loved or shall I say 
love Rebecca?” she asked standing up. Adam stood up next to her. “Barbara 
right now I’m confused about a lot of things. One day I’m a bachelor and 
then next I’m a father with responsibilities. I find I could have spent my 
life with the woman I truly loved after all and I can’t get those years 
back. I’ve missed sixteen years of my son’s life that I’ll never get back. 
I never held him the day he was born or as a baby. Never watched him take 
his first steps. Never saw his first day of school. I missed everything 
that happened in those first sixteen years. My son. He’s my son Barbara. 
I now understand why my father is so concerned when we don’t show up when 
we’re supposed to. Or when we’re ill or hurt. I don’t how he’s survived 
through all we’ve been through,” he said.
 
“Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything,” Barbara said walking away, her back 
towards Adam. Adam walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “If 
it would be all right with you I would like to come back tonight so we could 
- talk,” he said.
 
“I’d like that,” she replied. Adam picked up his hat placing it on top of 
his head. He walked towards the kitchen. Moments later he and his son were 
heading back home.
 
Later that evening Adam arrived at Barbara’s house. She opened the door 
nervously. He took her in his arms and looked in her eyes. He held her 
chin up and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before. He brought her 
close holding her tight against him. She could feel him against her as 
she’s never felt a man before. She noticed he was breathing faster and she 
was also. He carried her upstairs. She indicated which room was hers. He 
laid her down on her bed. “Adam it’s my first time,” she said.
 
“I’ll be gentle,” he replied. The next hour was the most beautiful thing 
Barbara had ever experienced in her life. She had wondered what it would be 
like to be with Adam for a long time. She finally had the nerve to tell him 
she loved him. When it was all over he looked down at her kissing her 
forehead. A few moments later he was laying on his back holding her. Her 
face on his chest. Her fingers caressing the hair there. “Adam that was 
absolutely beautiful,” she said. He ran his left hand up and down her back. 
 “Yes it was. I hope I didn’t hurt you. I tried to be gentle. I’m a, well 
a good sized man,” he said.
 
“I know. No it didn’t hurt much. I loved how you held my hand before you, 
you know. That really helped,” she said.
 
“I’m glad,” he replied.
 
“Adam I know you don’t love me. I think a man in love would tell a woman he 
loved her when they made love. I don’t care. I wanted you to be my first,” 
she said.
 
“I do have feelings for you. I want you to know that,” he replied.
 
“But you don’t love me?” she asked.
 
“I don’t know what I feel right now. Like I told you I’m confused,” he 
said.
 
“I understand. Really I do Adam,” Barbara said. Adam moved and got out of 
bed. “Where are you going?” she asked.
 
“Home,” he replied as he put his pants on and then the rest of his clothes.
 
“You don’t have to. Please stay the night with me,” she pleaded.
 
“No. I have to get home. Barbara maybe this shouldn’t have happened,” he 
said.
 
“Adam I didn’t expect anything from you. I won’t expect anything from you 
in the future. I just wanted this one time with you. If I can’t have you 
forever then this will be sufficient. I really mean that Adam,” she said.
 
“I have to go now,” he said walking out of the room.
 
Once home Adam walked up to his son’s bedroom with a lamp in his hand. He 
put the lamp down in the middle of the room. It was late and his son had 
most likely been asleep for awhile. He sat on the side of his bed looking 
down at him. Tried to picture what it would have been like to see him 
sleeping as a child. Why didn’t he realize Rebecca was pregnant? He had 
noticed changes in her body looking back. Had he made love to Barbara 
tonight or was he making love to Rebecca in his mind? He didn’t know. He 
had feelings for Barbara. Always had but he didn’t know. Adam put his head 
back.
 
“Father?” his son asked in a tired voice.
 
“Yes son,” Adam replied.
 
“Where have you been?” Little Adam asked rolling on his back.
 
“I had to go out for awhile,” he replied.
 
“You with Barbara?” Little Adam asked.
 
“I won’t lie. Yes I was,” Adam replied.
 
“I thought so. I saw the way you two looked at each other,” Little Adam 
said.
 
“We looked at each other?” Adam asked surprised.
 
“Pa how long do you think it took me to eat one piece of pie? I was walking 
back into the living room and it was written all over your faces. Pa you 
have feelings for that woman. It’s all right if you do. She’s nice. Don’t 
you see pa, mother would want you to be happy again,” Little Adam said.
 
“You called me pa. Sometimes you do you know?” Adam said.
 
“Just slips out sometimes is all,” Little Adam replied. Adam thought for a 
moment. He did have feelings for Barbara. He did love her. Looking back 
on those times they had together when he taught her class for her he 
realized he had feelings then for her. “I have to go out again. You go 
back to sleep son,” Adam said kissing his son on his head.
 
“Say hello to Barbara for me,” Little Adam said. Adam paused by the door, 
the lamp in his hands. “I will,” he replied before closing the door.
 
Adam arrived at Barbara’s house knocking loudly. Barbara answered the door. 
“We need to talk” he said walking inside.
 
“All right,” she said standing there in her white nightgown and robe. Adam 
faced Barbara in front of the sofa. “Barbara why did you come back here? I 
need to know,” he asked.
 
“Well I’m not going to lie. I fell in love with you. I moved away when all 
that came out about my uncle. I thought I could leave all this behind me 
and I did. The only thing I couldn’t leave behind me was my love for you. I 
didn’t even realize it until after I had left. I think I was confused back 
then Adam,” she said.
 
Adam carried Barbara upstairs again laying her on her bed. This time as he 
held her hand he said, “I love you and I’m not confused about that anymore.” 
 Barbara smiled.
 
Awhile later as she lay on his chest again they fell asleep.
 
The next morning she awakened him with breakfast in bed. “Oh you’re going 
to spoil me,” he said.
 
“That’s my choice,” she said. Adam sat up as she placed the tray on his 
lap. They kissed. “You even included a rose,” he said.
 
“Well one red rose means I love you,” she replied. They kissed again. 
“You’d better eat. One more kiss like that and you’ll miss breakfast 
altogether.
 
“Barbara come and teach Adam. I want to spend as much time with you as I 
can,” he said.
 
“You mean that?” she asked.
 
“Yes.  He knows about us. He figured it out. He’s very smart,” Adam said.
 
“He didn’t mind?” she asked.
 
“No he wants me to be happy,” Adam said.
 
“Are you happy?” she asked.
 
“Very,” he said kissing her again. She put the tray down on the floor.
 
As the weeks went by Little Adam was enjoying his new school arrangement 
Helping Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe load the buckboard he smiled. “Why are you 
smiling young man?” Joe asked.
 
“I just realized something. My father got a teacher for Adam his son. I 
think he doesn’t realize it but I got a teacher for Adam my father. How 
else could I be helping you load the buckboard and mend fences when I should 
be doing schoolwork?” he asked.
 
 
THE END
 
 
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