Written By: Lisa O.

Email: Lisa.M.Orcutt@us.army.mil

THE WRONG CHILD

By, Lisa O.

Cody Allen Franklin shook his head and laughed as he watched his friend, Joseph Francis Cartwright, swing from the rope they had tied to a tree and fall into the pond below. He knew they should both be heading home, but like always Joe convinced him to go swimming. The two 13 year old boys resembled each other quit a bit. The both had the same dark curly hair that seemed to be unruly as well. Cody had dark brown eyes, where Joe had green eyes. They were the same height, but Cody had about 10 pounds on Joe. They have been friends since they were 5 years old.

Cody is an only child; he lives on a small ranch with his parents. His father doesn’t approve of him going to school. He believes a boy should stay and help on the ranch. But his Ma insisted on her son going. His father was a strict man who believed in whippings and quit often whipped his son. Cody was also a follower, he seldom came up with ideas on his own, but he would readily go along with another boy’s idea. He did wonderful in school and very rarely studied yet he got all A’s or B’s.

Now Joe is the youngest child out of three boys. His father owned the biggest ranch in the territory. Joe’s mother died when he was only five years old. His father was strict man as well, but he rarely used a whip on Joe, he preferred a lecture. Joe had a bad temper and a lot of passion. He also had a conscious that could get the better of him. He was a leader, who people gladly followed. He struggled in school, he just didn’t like it too much and could care less if he passed or not.

Joe climbed out of the water and lay lazily on the ground looking up. He could be lost in thoughts for hours. He always had to be moving; even as he lay there he picked up rocks and threw them into the water. He didn’t want to go home, not yet. He had too many chores to do and besides there was that test that his teacher wanted his father to look at.

Joe sat up, "let’s swim, then head home."

Cody bobbed his head up and down in agreement and was in the water before Joe was. Joe jumped in after his friend. They played and showed off for about twenty minutes, then Joe decided it was time to head home. Cody had gone under and Joe waited on him to come back. He frowned when his friend didn’t surface. He knew Cody was playing a joke on him. He dived under to look for him. It took coming up for air twice before Joe spotted him. He was tangled in weeds at the bottom. Joe swam to him and tried to free him, He ignored the fact that Cody was staring out at him with lifeless eyes. Joe went to the surface, took a breath and went back. He did this three times and still couldn’t free his friend.

Adam signed as he headed to the lake to look for his baby brother. Why couldn’t Little Joe just do what he was told once? Adam Cartwright wondered. As he got to the lake he frowned as he saw no one, but then he saw Joe surface. "Joe!" Adam screamed.

Joe stopped before going under; he was panting and having trouble holding his breath. His eyes showed the panic he was in, but relief washed over him when he saw his oldest brother. "Adam!" He gasped, "Adam, help me Adam! It’s Cody!"

Adam was running to him and taking his shoes off as he ran. He swam to Joe, but Joe pushed him away, "go to Cody, he’s caught."

Adam nodded, "get on shore Joe."

Joe nodded to tired to augur and went to shore. He climbed ashore and sat down as he tried to catch his breath. He knew no one could hold their breath that long, but he still hoped that Cody would survive.

Adam surfaced with Cody in his arms, he knew the boy was dead. He looked at his younger brother as he pulled the dead boy ashore. Joe ran over and helped pull Cody in. They placed him down and Adam closed his eyes so Joe wouldn’t see him staring with dead eyes.

Joe stared at his friend, "Cody, come on Cody." Joe pleaded as he sat down by his friend and shook him.

Adam looked at Joe; "he’s gone Joe."

"No Adam no!" Joe yelled at him.

Adam frowned, "we haveto get home little Joe."

"Then wake up Cody, his Pa will be mad and he’ll get a whippin’ Come on Adam get him up!"

Adam frowned, "Joe, he’s dead."

"You’re lying Adam!"

"No Joseph." Adam said as he stood up and picked up the boy. He looked at Joe. "Let’s go and tell his folks."

Joe stood up, he shook his head. "Come on Adam, he can’t be dead."

Adam frowned, "he is Joe."

Joe followed his brother to Cody’s folk’s place. He stood quietly next to Adam as Adam told Mister Franklin what had happened and that his son was dead. Cody’s mother started to cry as she took Cody from Adam and place him in his bed. Mister Franklin looked at Joe who had gone pale and was shaking. "What happened boy?" He demanded.

Joe didn’t answer. His mind was back at the pond. He should’ve let Cody go home right after school.

"Boy, tell me what happened."

Joe looked at him, and then he looked at Adam. He took a deep breath; "we was swimmin" he began softly. "We was gonna get out, but I couldn’t find him. I dived under an’ he was caught. I couldn’t free him, Adam came and freed him." He finished as tears came down his face.

"What was he doing at the pond? He was told to come straight home."

Joe looked at Adam again and Adam saw the fear and grief on his brother’s young face. "I asked him to come with me sir." He admitted.

"Well Joseph Cartwright, maybe it’s okay for you to goof off after school, but that boy has a lot of work to do. He was supposed to come straight home. If he did, he would be alive. He had to listen to you and now he’s dead. You have never been any good boy always a bad influence on my boy. Now you got him dead."

Joe was shaking his head and backing away. "No, no"

"It’s your fault boy!"

"No!" Joe cried then ran off before Adam could stop him. Adam looked at Mister Franklin, "he’s just a boy sir and he had nothing to do with what happened to Cody. He tried to save him."

"Get off my land Cartwright!" He yelled, "get off and don’t come back!"

Adam frowned and left. He looked for Joe for an hour then went home to tell Pa.

Ben Cartwright looked over at Hoss Cartwright.

"Adam will find him Pa." Hoss told him.

"Why can’t he just come home after school?"

"Cause he’s Joe."

Adam came in.

Ben turned and faced him. "Where is your brother?"

Before Adam could answer, Joe walked in.

Ben looked at him. "Where have you been?"

Joe didn’t answer.

"Answer me boy! Where you off in that pond? I told you to come straight home! Why won’t you listen?"

Joe still didn’t answer.

"Joseph answer me!"

"Pa’ I can explain," Adam began.

"Adam, I am not asking you."

Joe looked around the room; he looked at Adam, then Ben then Hoss.

"What is it little brother?" Hoss asked.

Joe shifted his feet. He looked at his father. "Pa, um, Pa. I’m sorry Pa." He shook his head. "I didn’t mean it Pa."

"You never do Joe, but you always manage to get into trouble don’t ya’?"

Joe started to cry he couldn’t help it. "Pa, I’m sorry. I tried to get him, but I couldn’t. He was tangled real bad. I couldn’t get him."

Ben lost his anger as his son started to cry. He looked at Adam, who only shook his head. "Joe, what is wrong?"

"I tried Pa, but I couldn’t save him."

"Who? Who Joe?"

Joe looked at his family. He shook his head sadly. "Pa, it ain’t right. Why did it happen? I jus’ don’t understand."

"Tell me what happened son."

Joe shook his head, "It’s all my fault Pa all of it." He cried then ran up to his room and slammed the door shut.

Ben looked at Adam for an explanation and Adam filled his father and Hoss in on what had happened.

"So Joe’s feeling guilty now?" Ben said.

"Well it don’t help that Cody’s Pa blamed him." Hoss snapped, "it wasn’t Joe’s fault."

"Hoss the man was grieving, he didn’t realize what he was saying." Ben said.

"Want me to go an’ talk to him Pa?" Hoss asked.

"No I will," Ben said and went up to his youngest son.

He lightly knocked on the door and waited for his son’s answer. "Come in." Joe replied in a soft quiet voice.

Ben walked in and looked at his son, Joe’s face was tear streaked. He looked at his father. "Why did it happen Pa?" He asked.

Pa frowned and sat next to him, "son, sometimes things like this happen."

"But, Pa it’s my fault. If I hadn’t talked him into goin’ he wouldn’t have drowned."

Pa shook his head, "no son no," he told him firmly but gently.

Joe buried his head in his hands and started to cry.

Ben frowned and took him in his arms and rocked him gently. "Joe, it’ll be okay. I promise it’ll all work out."

Joe nodded slightly as he hid his face in his father’s chest.

Ben held his son for several minutes until Joe stopped crying.

Joe looked at him and frowned as his eyes showed his sorrow. "Why Pa why?"

"Joe we can’t say why. I don’t know why."

Joe pulled away from his father and laid down, he closed his eyes.

"Son do you want to talk?"

Joe shook his head.

"You need to eat son."

Again Joe shook his head.

Ben signed and stood up, he knew he would get nothing else out of Joe.

He took a deep breath, not wanting to leave his son in the pain that he was in, yet knowing he was powerless to change it. Joe needed time; he had to sort though his own feelings. Ben bent down and kissed him on the forehead. "Love you son, you sleep."

Joe nodded, but didn’t speak.

Three days later the Cartwrights went to the burial. Joe stood quietly between Adam and Hoss. He looked down through out the whole service. As they lowered the coffin into the ground, Joe began to shake. Hoss placed his arm around him, but Joe shook him off. Then he surprised both of them and their father and slipped his hand into Adam’s hand and held it tight. Joe didn’t understand why he felt like he needed to hold on to Adam but he knew he had to. He knew Hoss would not be enough. Adam squeezed his hand back and pulled his brother closer to him. Hoss frowned as he saw Joe go to Adam over him, it hurt, but he knew Joe needed Adam.

After the service the family walked over to Joe, who was still looking down and clinging to Adam as if he was drowning.

"Little Joe," Cody’s mother said gently.

Joe took a deep breath then looked up at her, "yes ma’am."

She placed her hand on his face, "so much grief in them eyes son. It was not your fault boy. Don’t you blame yourself. It was an accident and that is all."

Joe nodded, then hugged her.

She hugged him back and kissed the top of his head. "So much alike you and my baby, so much." She said softly.

He pulled away and looked at her.

"You come and see me okay Joseph?"

He nodded.

Cody’s father looked at him and Joe grabbed Adam’s hand again. "Boy, I am sorry for blaming you." He said. "I was in pain and needed to blame someone, I was wrong boy and I am sorry."

Joe nodded, "I’m sorry too."

"I know you are boy." He turned and left.

Adam frowned; he had an uneasy feeling when the man spoke to his baby brother. He shrugged it off and looked at Joe, "let’s get outa here Little Joe."

They left.

Life got back to normal. Joe went to school and came home right after. He was quiet for over two weeks, but then slowly started to come out of it. He missed his friend a great deal, but when his father or brothers tried to get him to talk he would claim up and turn away.

"I’m worried about Joe." Adam said suddenly one day as they were waiting on Joe to come home from school.

"Why’s that Adam?" Pa asked as he looked up from the paperwork he was trying to finish before supper.

"He hasn’t been himself since Cody died. He’s been quiet and behaving himself."

"And you’re complaining."

Adam smiled and shook his head.

"He’ll be fine Adam."

Joe came home an hour later, he was late and his father was waiting on him.

"Joseph!" Pa bellowed as soon as Joe walked in.

Joe frowned and scanned the room for Adam or Hoss, they weren’t there. He took a deep breath but did not look at Ben.

"Joseph Francis Cartwright!" Ben snapped. "Look at me boy and look at me now!"

Joe turned around slowly, but he hung his head.

Ben slammed his fist on the desk. He was angry, but not just at the boy in front of him. He didn’t get his paperwork done and now Joe was late and wouldn’t make eye contact with him. "Look at me boy now!"

Joe signed and obeyed his father.

Ben got even angrier when he saw his son’s face. Joe had a black eye and a bruise on his cheek.

Joe frowned and shifted his feet nervously, when he saw his father’s eyes flash with such anger.

"Boy, what happen!"

"Uh, Pppa…uh I um I got into a fight Pa."

Ben came around so he stood in front of him. "Where is the note?"

Joe reached in his pocket and handed the note his teacher had given him to give to his father.

Mr. Cartwright,

Joseph got into a fight with another boy today during recess. Joseph threw the first punch, and refused to stop when he was ordered to. I pulled them apart. I made Joseph stand in the corner the remaining part of the day. He attempted to get out of the corner three times when he thought I was preoccupied. He also failed the math test I gave this morning. I had no choice but to suspend him from school until Monday.

Thank you Mr. Rolens

Joe looked around for an escape while his father red the note. He saw his father get madder by the minute.

"What happened in school today?" Ben asked threw clenched teeth.

Joe shrugged.

"Answer the question boy!"

Joe just shrugged as he looked down.

Ben grabbed the boy by the arm and shook him roughly, "look at me now!"

Joe looked at his father, as pain exploded in his arm where his father was squeezing.

"Tell me what happened today at school?"

"Like the note said Pa."

"You got into a fight?"

"Yes sir."

"And tried to sneak out of the corner?"

"I had to Pa, he didn’t punish Al, it wasn’t fair."

"Did you fail the math test?"

"Well Pa, it was hard and on stuff I didn’t know."

"Are you telling me that your teacher gave you a test on materiel you did not know?"

"Yes sir."

Joseph, do not lie."

"I ain’t lying Pa."

"Go to your room boy and don’t come out until I tell you to!"

Joe got angry, "but Pa that ain’t fair."

Ben shoved him to the steps, "go boy now."

Joe looked at him, "Pa that jus’ ain’t right"

"You fight in school and flunk a test and disobey your teacher and I send you to your room and I am not being fair."

"That’s right Pa, it ain’t fair. You won’t listen to me! I ain’t going to my room!"

Ben walked over to Joe and stood over him, "go now get out of my sight."

"But Pa, listen to me."

Ben shoved him again, Joe fell but he quickly got up and glared at his father. "Stop pushing me Pa!" He yelled before he could stop himself.

Ben saw red, he got so mad. He backhanded him. "Now go to your room!"
Joe stared at his father stunned as his face stung with the hit. He turned and stomped up the stairs and slammed his door then threw himself on his bed.

Joe went with out supper that night and his father came up and whipped him and told him to go to sleep. He was confined to the house and yard for a month.

After his month of confinement, he asked his father that if after school he could stop by Cody'’ place and give his mother some flowers.

Pa nodded, "fine boy, but be home right after you still have chores to do."

"Yes sir."

After school Joe raced all the way over to the Franklin’s ranch. He hopped off of Coachie and went and knocked on the door. A woman who looks as if she had aged 20 years in a month greeted him.

Joe gave her the flowers and she made him some cookies and gave him a glass of milk. It made her come to life a little when she was fussing over Joe.

Mr. Franklin came in and smiled to see his wife with a little life back in her. He rustled Joe’s hair with his hand and grinned at the boy. It did feel good to have a boy back in the house.

Joe stayed a while longer then told them that he had to be going or his father would be mad.

Mr. Franklin nodded, "fine Joe, but before you go, can you help me for just one minute."

Joe nodded, "yes sir."

They left to go to the storm shelter. Mr. Franklin explained to Joe that the latter that led down to it was weak and he was making a new one, but he really need some flour that was down there could Joe climb down and get it.

Joe nodded eager to help his friend’s parents.

He climbed down into the dark cellar, he looked up at the man looking down at him, "where is it Mr. Franklin?"

""Over to the left boy."

Joe looked, but it was dark and he couldn’t see. He looked for a lantern, but couldn’t find one. He squinted his eyes trying to see, but he couldn’t so he took a step away from the latter and as he did the latter was pulled up and the door was slammed shut and Joe heard it lock.

Joe tried not to panic, but he hated the dark. "Hello!" He shouted, "hey up there let me out!"

He didn’t hear anything.

"Hey! Hey!" Joe shouted.

Nothing

Joe started to panic and jump up to try to reach the door, but he couldn’t and he couldn’t see it was so dark. Joe continued to scream and jump to the door until he became exhausted and his voice grew horse. He finally collapsed on the ground and cried.

Ben glanced at the clock again; he shook his head in anger as he realized Joe would not be home on time like he promised this morning. What was wrong with that boy why couldn’t he follow directions and do what he was told for just once in his life? Why did everything had to be such a battle?

Adam came in, "no sign of Joe yet Pa?"

"No," Ben snapped roughly.

"Do you want me to do his chores."

"I am sure Hoss has already taken care of that. In fact go fetch Hoss and tell him that supper is ready. We will not wait for your brother. In fact I am sure your brother will go without supper tonight."

Adam frowned but obeyed his father. He found Hoss in the barn doing his younger brother’s chores. "Do you know where he is Hoss?"

Hoss looked at his brother, "sure don’t Adam. I ain’t to pleased with him either."

"Well Pa said it’s time to eat so come on."

As they ate supper, Ben got more and more agitated at his young son. But as day turned into night the anger was replaced by worry. He had sent Adam and Hoss out to look for him over an hour ago and now all of his sons were out.

Ben paced the front room and looked out the window for signs of his sons, when he saw none he turned and paced some more.

Adam and Hoss rode in a half-hour later.

Ben rushed outside when he heard the horses, but his smile faded as he only saw his two older boys and not his youngest son. "Where is Joseph?"

Adam frowned and got off Sport, he walked over to his father. "Pa we retraced the trail that he should have taken to go to the Franklin’s from school, no sign of him or Coachie. We asked the Franklin’s they said he hasn’t been there all day. So we checked his favorite fishin spot and the lake by Marie’s grave. We checked the woods everywhere we could think of. Then we came home hoping he was here."

"He ain’t here son."

"Do you want me to go get the sheriff?" Hoss asked. "Form a search party."

Ben frowned, that would mean he would haveto confess that there is something wrong. He looked at Hoss and nodded.

Hoss frowned and looked at Adam then at Ben, "don’t worry Pa, you know Joe he properly went fishin and lost track of time and now he’s just scare to come home."

Ben nodded.

The Sheriff came out with several men and they formed a search party and began looking for the thirteen-year-old boy.

By morning they were no closer to finding him.

Joe fell asleep after lying in the dark for more then 7 hours. He knew his father was worried about him. He didn’t know what was going on he didn’t understand why Mr. Franklin had locked him in here. He wondered if Coachie was okay. If she was feed or groomed.

A bright light and the smell of food waked Joe up, he opened his eyes and sat up slowly, and he was stiff from sleeping on the hard floor. He looked at Mr. Franklin, "what do you want?"

"Eat boy" Mr. Franklin ordered.

Joe nodded confused and scared, the man had a funny look to him.

Mr. Franklin looked around and crinkled up his nose, then looked at Joe. "Did you go to the bathroom in here?"

Joe looked at him confused, "I had to, you wouldn’t let me out."

"Cody, you watch that tongue and how you talk to me. I am your Pa."

Joe frowned, "you ain’t my pa!" He yelled as he stood up. "My name is Joe not Cody! I want to go home and I want to go home now!"

Mr. Franklin hit him hard across the face, with his closed fist. "You will not speak to me that way boy! No child raises his voice to me. Is that understood?"

Joe stood up rubbing his jaw. He glared at him but didn’t answer.

He hit Joe again, harder this time across the back of the head; once again Joe fell "Get up boy now!" He ordered as he grabbed his arm and yanked him up. He grabbed Joe by both arms and shook him until Joe was getting dizzy. He stopped and glared at him. "Now Cody is that understood?"

"My name is Joe Cartwright." Joe said without fear.

He hit Joe again across the face then threw him to the ground. "You are Cody boy. My son not Ben’s you are mine!"

"No!" Joe yelled.

He kicked Joe as hard as he could across the face.

Joe blacked out.

Joe woke to find the room dark again; he curled up in a ball and prayed that his father and brothers would find him soon.

After a week of searching, many of the men had quit the search to go back to their lives. Ben refused to give up, he didn’t sleep and he barely ate. He knew his boy was out there somewhere they just had to find him. Coachie was found three days after Joe had disappeared. She was found miles from where Joe was last seen and there were no clues on her either. She was found with Joe’s saddle still on and his saddlebag.

Hoss had gone quiet the last two days, not even speaking when directly spoken too. The fear was easy to read in his eyes. He feared his brother was dead and would never see him again. They were up on a mountain looking for him.

Adam had taken charge of the search; he sent his father home with Doc. Martin so Ben could get some rest. So now it was just Hoss, Adam, Charlie and Roy. They sat down to rest.

Two days earlier, Mr. Franklin did something that would ensure them never finding Joe. He went to his ice cellar and pulled out the body of his dead son. After Cody died he put him in the ice cellar to conserve the body. He knew one day he would claim Joe Cartwright as his own. It was Joe’s fault anyway Joe should be dead not Cody. Well he couldn’t make Cody alive and Joe dead so he was just going to exchange the boys for one another.

He took the frozen body of his son and put Joe’s close on him, then took him to the mountain and without so much as a glance to his son, threw him over and watched as the body fell down the mountain and landed on the bottom.

Hoss couldn’t sit and take another break it has been a week, they needed to keep looking and never stop. He looked over at Adam who was leaning against a tree with his eyes closed.

Hoss walked over to the edge of the mountain. It was a pretty view Joe loved it here. Hoss frowned as he noticed the buzzard flying around. He shook his head and closed his eyes, refusing to look down. He took a deep breath and cussed himself a fool; it was properly a dead animal. He looked down and saw with fear the crumpled body of a young boy with Joe’s clothes on.

He stared in silence for a long minute, with tears running down his face as he realized he was looking at the body of his young brother.

"ADAM!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, "OH GOD ADAM! OH GOD!"

Adam ran over to him and grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him "Hoss what is it?"

Hoss looked at him as he started to sob, "I found Joe Adam, I found Joe."

Adam looked around and then at his brother. "What? Where?"

Hoss pointed to the cliff; "he’s down there." He cried, then looked over again and saw the body and cried loudly, "JOE! JOE! WE"RE COMING JOE!"

Adam took a deep breath as Charlie and Roy came over, and looked over he fell to his knees when he saw the body, "Oh God why?" Adam cried.

Roy looked over and fell to his knees.

Charlie also looked over then fell to his knees.

It took them an hour to lower Adam down to the bottom; he held hope that he would find his brother breathing. When he reached the ground he stared at him for a minute. The body was face down. Dry blood was all over the area. Adam stared at the dark curly hair, the lightly rolled him over, he stepped back and threw up. There was nothing left of his face, he was unrecognizable. Adam took a deep breath and felt for a pulse, though he knew he was dead, he could smell it.

Adam scoped up the body and held it tight and cried in his chest. "Oh Joe, why you? This ain’t fair it jus’ ain’t fair."

They started the long ride home. Hoss held tight to the body the big man’s body shook as he cried.

Charlie also cried most of the way back to the ranch; he had known Joe since he was a baby.

Roy held himself up the best, knowing he would have to be strong for Ben.

Ben stood up in hope when he heard the horses. He ran out with Hop Sing right behind him. Ben smiled in relief when he saw Hoss carrying a body in his arms. It was Joe he could tell by the clothes.

Ben started to run out when he froze as he saw the faces of despair.

He looked at Adam and saw the tears in his face.

"Adam?"

"Pa, we found him, but .."

Pa looked at Hoss and then at the limp body of his son, and reality hit him and it hit him hard. He stumbled back as if punched. "Give me him Hoss." He ordered.

"Pa he ain’t looking good."

"Give me my boy!"

Hoss passed him down.

Ben cradled him in his arms and kissed his forehead. He fell to the floor with which he thought was Joe in his arms. And cried and rocked his son.

They buried him up next to his mother.

Then they tried to get on with their lives.

One day Ben was walking by Joe’s room when he noticed the door open a crack. Ben frowned and opened the door half expecting to see Joe, but he only saw Adam sitting on his brother’s bed holding Joe’s pillow and rocking it and crying openly. Ben frowned; this was the first time he saw Adam cry since the found Joe.

"Adam" Ben said softly.

Adam looked at him, "Oh Pa, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be in here. But I can still feel him in here. I miss him so much. It’s like a dream, and I can’t wake up. He was too young too damn young. And what was he doing on that mountain anyway. It don’t make sense Pa, none at all."

Ben nodded as he choked back his own tears; he went over and hugged Adam.

Hoss came down to breakfast the next morning, with a fake smile on. He sat down to eat and as everyone started to eat, out of habit he said; "ya’ want me to go fetch Little Joe Pa?"

Silence answered him.

Hoss started to sob when he realized his mistake. He looked up the stairs at his brother’s room. "GOD NO!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs. "OH GOD NO! JOE WHERE IS JOE!"

Hoss stood up and swiped the plates off with one swipe of his arm. Plates and glasses went flying.

Hop Sing ran out and witnesses Hoss’ temper tantrum. Hoss picked up various objects and threw them across the room all the time crying for Joe and cussing God for taking his baby brother. Why take Joe, and leave Hoss?

Finally Hoss fell to the floor and cried his brother and father hugged him and rocked him. Then Hop Sing came over and joined the family embrace.

Joe put up with daily abuse from Mr. Franklin. He would come to Joe every other day to beat Joe and to feed him and give him some water. He hit Joe in the head trying to convince Joe that he was Cody not Joe. But Joe was stubborn and he refused to admit he was somebody he wasn’t. He repeatedly told him that he was Joe Cartwright and his father was Ben and he had two brothers, Hoss and Adam. Joe knew they would be coming for him he just had to be patent.

After about a month of abuse, Mr. Franklin hit him hard in the head knocking Joe out and he did not wake for over 24 hours. When he did wake up, he looked around confused at his whereabouts. It was dark and he was lying on a hard cold floor. He could smell a wet musty smell in the air, as well as a smell of urine.

A bright light blinded him for a minute and he covered his eyes as a man came down to him. Joe blinked his eyes and stared at the man.

"You hungry boy?"

Joe nodded, "yes sir"

Mr. Franklin nodded, and gave him a plate of food. Joe sat up stiff and sore and ate the food. He looked around the room then at the man in front of him. "Where am I?""

Mr. Franklin smiled, "well boy you fell in here and hit your head bad. Do you remember anything?"

Joe searched his memory and shook his head as he fought the tears that threatened to consume him.

"Son, your name is Cody and I’m your Pa."

Joe looked at him, the man did look familiar, but he just couldn’t remember. "You’re my Pa?"

"Yes I am."

"Where’s my Ma?"

"In the house son, let’s get you cleaned up before we go to her okay?"

Joe nodded, accepting the fact freely like a child would.

Mr. Franklin cleaned Joe up and changed his clothes, as well as cutting his hair before he took him into the house. He knew his wife was still in deep depression since the Cody died two months ago. She lay in her room for the most part just crying for Cody. She wanted her little boy back so bad that he knew he could fool her with Joe.

"Jennie!" He called as he entered the house with his new son.

She didn’t answer him.

"Jeannie, come out here woman and fix dinner for your men."

Joe looked up at Mr. Franklin, "Why won’t Mama come out?"

"She’s sad son, see you ran off for a long time, but now you’re back. Go tell her your back. You will make her happy. You want to make your Ma happy don’t ya’ son?"

"Yes sir." Joe said as he smiled.

Joe walked into her room where he found a woman lying on bed. He stared at her, she had her eyes closed, but he could tell she was a pretty woman and they had the same color hair. He lightly touched her face, "Ma, I’m hungry."

Jeannie’s eyes popped open, thinking she was dreaming knowing her son would not be there. She turned her head and sure enough there he was, he looked a little different, but it was her Cody. She sat up and grabbed him in her arm and squeezed him. "Martin! Martin!" She yelled as she picked up Joe and covered him with kisses.

Martin came in, "Jeannie let go of the boy, you’re smothering him."

"But my Cody is back. He’s back."

Joe squirmed out of her arms and looked at her, "I’m sorry Ma, I didn’t mean to worry you. I’ll be good Ma."

"I know you will son, I know you will. Now are you hungry?"

"Yes ma’am"

"Well come on son, let Mama fix you something to eat."

Joe nodded and followed her out.

They ate dinner and then Martin took Joe in his room and told him that he would not go to school and he was not aloud to leave the ranch ever. If he did he would be whipped. He was not aloud to talk to anyone until the ranch was sold and the family moved far away.

At the Ponderosa on the outside life looked like it was going on as normal. But the family was anything but normal. Without Little Joe the life of the family seemed to be gone.

Ben had aged 20 years since he buried his son. He turned the ranch over to his two boys no longer having the drive to run it. He spent most of his time in his bathrobe in either his room or Joe’s. He would spend hours at the grave sight. He wasn’t eating right and barely slept at nights. He was slowly dying. He couldn’t go on with out his son. He was suppose to die first a father is not suppose to out live a child. Joe was so young; he hadn’t had a chance to live yet.

Hoss changed a great deal as well since they found Joe. His normally warm big heart had grown cold and uncaring. He was short tempered and rarely smiled. He would spend hours just staring at nothing. The only thing he seemed to care about was taking care of Coachie.

Adam had taken over running the ranch and the family. Though he wanted to leave the Ponderosa and never come back. He couldn’t he knew his father would die if he lost another son. So Adam put all his time and energy into work.

The three Cartwrights moved in their own little worlds refusing the confront of each other.

Joe was adjusting to life as Cody; he received daily whippings from Martin and a lot of love from Jeannie. Martin worked him hard and long.

One day, two weeks after they brought Joe out of the cellar, they heard a horse approaching. Joe ran to the window and looked out.

"Boy!" Martin shouted, "get away from that window."

Joe turned around and face him with fear, "sorry Pa, I jus’ wanted to see who it was."

Martin backhanded him hard it sent Joe flying. "Get to your room boy now!"

Joe got up and ran to his room. Though he peaked out his window and watched as a man in black got off his horse and knocked on the door. Martin opened the door, and Joe listened to what they said.

"Hello, Adam what brings you here?"

Adam smiled at the man who had also lost a loved one. "I heard your ranch was for sale. I wanted to let you know that I am interested in buying it."

"Well Adam I would rather talk to your father about this."

Adam shook his head, "Sir that will not be possible, since Joe’s death he refuses to do any work. I’m in charge now my father has washed his hands of the ranch."

Martin nodded, "I understands how he feels. The pain of losing a son is terrible. Why would you want this ranch Adam?"

Adam shrugged, "it’s next to the Ponderosa, it would add to our land."

Martin nodded, "I will consider it Adam and let you know."

Adam nodded and turned and left.

Joe sat on his bed, the man was familiar but he just couldn’t figure out from where. There was a wall in his memory preventing him from knowing the truth.

Martin came in and gave him a good beating then confined him to his room for two days.

Hop Sing served the dinner to a quiet family. He was use to the quiet now. It has been quiet for over two months since they buried Little Joe. The three remaining family members all dwelled in their own grief instead of finding confront in each other.

"Maybe I should pack up Little Joe’s room." Adam said suddenly.

Ben looked at him sharply, "no Adam."

"Pa, we need to go on. He’s gone."

"You will leave his room alone."

Adam signed; he couldn’t take it much longer. "Pa you need to let him go."

"I will not let him go and you will not touch his room. You leave everything like it is."

"Why Pa?"

"Because I said so."

"But Pa, he would not want us to carry on like this. He would be disappointed in all of us."

"I am doing the best I can Adam."

Adam shook his head; "the Franklin’s are selling their land. I was thinking we could buy it. What do you think Pa?"

"Do what you wish Adam. The ranch is yours."

Adam turned to Hoss, "what do you think Hoss?’

Hoss shrugged, "I guess it’s a good idea Adam.’

Adam nodded, "are you done branding Hoss?"

Hoss nodded.

"Maybe tomorrow we can go fishing? You know where our favorite spot."

"No Adam, I can’t. Not without Joe it just wouldn’t be the same."

"Ah Hoss come on, please."

Hoss shook his head.

Adam threw his fork down and stood up, he glared at his brother and father. "What is the matter with you two? Damn Joseph would not want this he would be so mad if he knew you two were acting like this. We need to go on, not sit here in self-pity. I don’t know what else to do, but I can’t keep doing it all. I need your help."

When neither answered him he stormed out.

Hoss left shortly after his brother left. He rode out to Joe’s grave and was surprised to see Adam sitting by it crying.

Hoss went over to Adam and placed his arm around Adam, "ah Adam maybe that fishing trip would be a good idea. Think we can convince Pa to go."

Adam looked at Hoss, "I miss him too Hoss, I really do. But lately I’ve been missing you and Pa as well."

Hoss nodded as he pulled a weed. "I am just mad Adam, it ain’t right that Joe is dead. It just ain’t right. But your right we need to let him go. I jus’ don’t know how. I’m scared to let him go."

Adam nodded, and hugged his brother and they cried at Joe’s grave together for a half-hour.

The next day the brothers went fishing without their father. They talked about Joe most of the time and found themselves laughing as they recalled some of the things their younger brother did.

Together the brothers went home and started to work on their father.

Ben was hard though; he missed Joe more then he could bare. Everything around him reminded him of Joe and he would often break into tears. He had nightmares that Joe was calling out to him to find him. That he wasn’t dead, that it was all a mistake and that he must find him before it was too late. Ben didn’t understand why he was having such dreams. He knew his son was dead. He saw the body, he held the body. He watched them lower his baby into the ground. It just wasn’t right Little Joe should be here with him not in the ground. Ben put his head down and once again started to cry, he didn’t know how it was possible to still have tears left. He thought he cried them all out. He shook his head sadly as he looked at a picture of Marie. "Oh Marie, why did this happen to our boy? How am I to go on without Joseph?" He whispered softly.

"Pa," Adam said softly.

Ben looked up and quickly whipped his eyes. "Oh hi son, how are you?"

"I’m fine Pa, how are you?"

"I am surprised I have any tears left in me son."

Adam nodded as he sat down across from his father. "I know you miss him Pa. We all do, but we need to pull the family back together and go on."

Ben nodded, "I know son, but it is so hard. I feel like he ain’t really gone, like he will walk threw the door any minute now. I keep having dreams of him coming to me and telling to find him before it is too late."

Adam nodded, "it’s because you want it so bad Pa. But he’s gone and he ain’t coming back. I wish he was, but he ain’t. Listen Pa, I haveto go to Reno to handle some business, why don’t you and Hoss come with me."

Ben frowned as he rubbed his chin, he thought about saying no. He looked at his oldest and nodded, "sure son that sounds real good."

Adam grinned for the first time since the day Joe disappeared.

They started to make the preparations to leave. It was decided that they would take ten days all together. They would spend a much-needed vacation in Reno. They hoped they could rebuild their family again. Though they all missed Joe and it broke their hearts to leave the ranch knowing they would not find him there when they returned.

Hoss turned and watched as the house came further out of sight. He knew it would never be truly home again without Joe running around and getting into trouble. He smiled as he thought of all the trouble Joe got him into. How he missed the smile and his giggle. He closed his eyes as he turned back around and faced front. He pictured Joe in front of him, his green eyes sparkling like he was up to no good. That damn kid could laugh his way threw a whipping, which only made Pa angrier.

Hoss signed and opened his eyes sometimes he hated reality.

Adam looked at his brother; "ya ready little brother?"

Hoss nodded.

They left.

Joe sat up from another nightmare; more of his life was coming back to him. He knew he knew that man that came all in black. His Pa had called him Adam. He dreamt of him a lot. There was another man there in his dreams as well. A large man named Hoss or Hoth or something like that. He was big, but nice. There was a man with gray hair in the dream as well, but who were they and why did they keep coming into his dreams. There was a woman who showed herself every now and then. She was a beautiful woman, who seemed to be telling him something that was very important. She came to him the most when he was punished and lying in his bed.

He knew in his heart that these people who claimed to be his folks, were not his parents. But he did feel like he knew them. He was so confused and he did not want to move but he will not voice this because it will only get him a beaten. The woman who claimed to be his mother was nice enough, but the man he was mean and he didn’t like Joe. He could see it in his eyes. Joe just did his chores and tried not to get a beaten, and at night he would lie awake and try to sort out this mystery.

"Cody!" Martin yelled.

Joe ran out to the kitchen, "yes sir?"

"What was taken you so long boy?"

"Nothing Pa, I’m sorry Pa."

Martin hit him with his fist; "you are worthless boy just worthless!"

Joe got up and went on with his chores; he was quit use to it by now.

A week later, Jeannie yelled at her husband that that child was not hers and she wanted him out. Joe heard this and got confused and scared.

Martin took him to the river, a mile up from where his mother was buried.

"Pa," Joe whispered. "What are you going to do?"

Martin signed, "it just didn’t work out son, sorry."

Joe backed away.

Martin grabbed him by the arm and shook him, "see everyone thinks you’re dead anyway, so it won’t hurt to kill you. You deserve to die anyway you little runt. You killed my boy. He was a good boy you aren’t. No one loves you and no one needs you."

Joe tried to jerk loose, "let me go Pa."

Martin punched him across the face; "don’t ya listen boy? I ain’t your Pa. You don’t have a Pa! Ya don’t have a Ma, ya have no one boy!"

"No!" Joe yelled. "I do have a Pa, and he loves me and he’s gonna kill you!" He tried again to pull loose as memories came flooding back. He knew his name was Joe Cartwright. He knew who his father was, he knew he had two brothers. They all loved him too.

Martin hit him several times in the face, never releasing his hold on him. "No boy, they think you’re dead."

Joe frowned it hurt now, but he glared at the man in front of him, "I will show them I ain’t then they’ll kill ya’. You’ll see!"

Martin slammed his fist into the boy’s stomach several times as Joe gasped for air he hit him in the head then shoved him into the river.

Joe who was to dazed to help himself fell into the strong current of the river. He felt himself go under, the blackness enveloped him.

Jason and Richard, two schoolmates of Joe, went to his grave that day to place flowers on the grave of their friend.

When they got there, they saw a boy lying face down at the water’s edge.

They looked at each other then ran over to the boy. Richard gently rolled him over; he jumped back as if he was burned. He started at his friend who he thought has been dead for three months.

Jason came over to see who it was; he looked down then fell back.

"Is he alive?’ Jason asked in a whisper.

Richard shrugged and bent down and placed a shaky hand on his neck. He felt a pulse a strong one. Then he noticed his friend’s chest going up and down from breathing.

"Is it Joe?" Jason asked.

"Sure does look like him don’t it?"

"Uh huh, but he’s dead."

"No he ain’t and he’s wearing clothes that ain’t his. What do you think happened?"

"I don’t know, but let’s get him to the house."

The two friends picked him up and carried him on Jason’s horse to the ranch house. Joe didn’t stir the whole time.

As they approached the yard. Richard started to yell for Adam or Hoss or Mr. Cartwright.

Hop Sing came out. He looked at the boys and noticed a third boy lying limply over one of the horses.

"No Cartwrights here." He told them, "they all in Reno."

Richard ran over to Hop Sing as Charlie came out of the barn. "What happen to you friend? He asked Richard.

Richard looked at Charlie; "It’s Joe." He blurted.

Charlie got a cold look on his face, "Joe who?"

"It’ Little Joe, we found him by the lake right at his grave."

Charlie glared at the boy. "This is not funny!"

Hop Sing went over to Jason who was still on his horse holding onto Joe. Hop Sing lifted the boy’s head up. He started at his face and started to cry. He pulled him off the horse and held him tight. He looked at Jason, "go get Doctor and Sheriff, but no tell no one else. Just tell them to get here no tell them about Joe they not believe and not come. Now go boy."

Charlie came over; he paled when he saw Joe. "It’s him isn’t it?"

Hop Sing nodded, "Knew God would return number three son."

Charlie shook his head, "but how?"

Hop Sing walked past him, "how later, need to get boy in. Vely cold."

Charlie and Richard followed him. They stripped Joe and got warm clothes on him. Charlie got mad when he saw the marks all over the boy’s body.

"When will Ben be home?"

Hop sing frowned, "the day after tomorrow."

Joe started to stir both Charlie and Hop Sing rushed to him. Richard hung back.

Joe opened his eyes and looked around, "no, no no Pa don’t" he whispered, the closed his eyes again.

Soon the Doctor and Sheriff arrived.

Charlie went down to meet them.

"What is it?" Roy demanded.

Charlie looked at the Doctor. "You won’t believe me. But Jason and Richard found Little Joe today."

Doc. Martin looked at him like he was insane.

Charlie nodded, "go upstairs."

The three men went upstairs.

They went into Joe’s room and were both placed into shock by seeing Little Joe Cartwright. Roy looked at Paul, "how?"

Paul shook his head and smiled threw his tears as he went and examined his young friend.

After they fixed Joe up the men sat down and drank coffee.

They were all wishing that Ben were home.

Joe had not really waked up, so they did not know what had happened to him. Richard and Jason went home with the promise to keep Joe’s appearance a secret. Roy thought it would be better if the family found out when they got here.

Roy and Paul never left the Ponderosa, each wanting to be there when Ben and the boys found out.

Hop Sing only left Joe to eat or sleep or to relieve himself. He fed Joe and talked to him the whole time.

Richard and Jason spent as much time as they could there.

Paul looked out the window. "They’re here." He told Charlie and Roy. The three men stood up.

Ben and the boys went in the house and were surprised by the men they saw.

Ben looked at his old friends and saw a strange look pass before the three. "What is wrong? Is Hop Sing okay?"

Hop Sing came out of the kitchen he smiled at the family.

Charlie nodded, "Ben boys sit down please."

Ben and Adam sat, but Hoss remained standing.

"Uh, Ben," Charlie began, "we have to tell you something."

Ben nodded, he felt like this was big news.

Charlie looked at Roy, Roy looked at Ben. "Um, Ben it seems we found something that will make you real happy. It is quit unexpected so be prepared."

"Just out with it!" Ben ordered roughly. They had a good trip, but it was a big let down when they got back and didn’t see Joe.

Hoss looked up when he heard something coming out of Joe’s room. He turned to the four men in front of him. "How dare you put someone in Joe’s room! How dare you!"

Before anyone could respond Hoss took off upstairs ready to throw out who ever was in there.

He pushed the door open and glared at Richard and Jason, they were sitting by the bed talking. "Get out!" He shouted, then his eyes fell on the figure in the bed as Richard and Jason quietly moved out of his way.

Hoss started to shake his head and tears rolled down his face. This must be a dream, it hasto be. That can’t be Joe, it really can’t be. Joe is dead.

He walked over to the bed with shaky legs and started at the angelica face that lay on the bed. Then with a loud thud he fell to the floor on his knees and let out a loud cry. Then he grabbed Joe in his arms and held him tight. "Oh Joe is it you, is it really you?’

Joe started to squirm in his embrace; suddenly he pushed at Hoss, "stop Hoss" he whispered, "stop I can’t breathe Hoss."

Hoss relaxed his hold on his brother and looked at his face. Joe opened his eyes, "hey big brother. Why ya crying?’

Hoss smiled and kissed him on the forehead, "Ah little Joe I love you."

Joe nodded confusion in his face. Why was Hoss crying?

"PA! ADAM!" Hoss shouted suddenly.

Joe jumped when Hoss yelled.

Pa and Adam ran in.

Pa looked at Hoss who was kneeling at Joe’s bed.

Hoss moved out of the way so his father could see him. But he never took his eyes off of Joe.

Ben looked at the figure on the bed.

Joe looked at his father, the events were foggy. "Hey Pa," he said softly.

Ben looked at him in shock. He started to cry and shake his head. He looked at Adam who was also crying. "Joe?"

Joe nodded and sat up, but he winced in pain. He stared at his father, "what’s wrong Pa?"

"Joe, is that really you?"

Joe started to cry as he looked at his father. Why was everyone staring at him like they didn’t know who he was? He was getting scared now. He remembered what Martin said about no one loving him. Maybe he was right. "Pa, don’t ya love me? What did I do?’

Ben walked over to him and gathered him in his arm, not believing he was holding his son. "Joe, you didn’t do nothing." He said as he cried.

"Why are you crying Pa?"

Ben just held him and looked at Hoss then at Adam, who was just waiting silently for his turn to hold his brother.

Joe looked at Ben, "Pa what is wrong?"

"Oh, Joseph, don’t you remember what happened?"

Joe frowned, "not really, I member goin’ to the Franklin’s, but not much after that."

Pa stared at his youngest child. "We thought you were dead."

Joe frowned.

Adam came over and hugged his brother tight, "I guess you’re really here ain’t ya?"

Joe nodded and squeezed his brother back.

After the reunion Joe fell asleep.

Ben sat in his son’s room and stared at him, not quit believing he was really here. It was all a lie, Roy went over to the Franklin’s to confront them, but they were gone.

It took a week for Joe to recover enough to get out of bed and to remember what happened to him.

The Franklin’s had disappeared and no one could find them.

Ben had the grave dug up and the body placed back in Cody’s coffin.

It was a month after Joe acme back and still they watched Joe like he would disappear again.

It got on Joe’s nerves and he told everyone to stop it, but they just ignored him and continued to watch over him. Joe shook his head and smiled, to be truthful it felt good to have his family watch him. He loved his brothers and father and was thrilled to be back in their world and out of the one he was in for three months.

"Joe you come home right after school today." His father ordered at breakfast one morning.

Joe nodded, "yes sir."

That night, Joe came home an hour late.

"Where the hell were you?" Ben bellowed at him.

Joe frowned, "uh, Pa, uh I got held after school."

Adam looked at Hoss and smiled, he couldn’t help it sounded so good to hear Ben yell at Joe. That way he knew the nightmare was over.

"Why?"

Joe looked around.

"Answer me boy!"

"Pa, I uh, I fell asleep in school."

Pa lectured Joe then gave him a whipping and restricted him to the house.

Adam and Hoss looked at each other as Hop Sing came out. "It is good to have number three son home." Hop Sing said. "House has life back in it. Loud life, but life."

Hoss nodded as he looked at his younger brother as he sat stoned face staring at his father. Ben was steadily yelling at the thirteen-year-old boy.

Hoss looked at Adam, then at Hop Sing; "yes the life is back, as is the spirit and heart."

Adam nodded and grinned. "You’re right Hoss. Our family is whole again and it feels so good."

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