Joe walked
backwards out
of the saloon holding up his hands. "Don't
come back in here Cartwright till you're old enough to hold your
liquor." The barkeep then turned around and stalked back inside.
Joe took a deep breath as he turned to go find his family.
However,
when he turned his father was standing in the street in front of
him.
"Oh, hi ya,
Ben propped his hands on his hips as Joe started wringing his hands
together. "Where have you been, young man?" asked Ben.
"Nowhere,
his face.
Just then the barkeep walked out of the saloon and deposited Joe's
hat on his head. "And remember, Cartwright. Don't come
back till
you can stay out of trouble." With that the man stormed back
through
the swinging door.
Joe looked back at his father and grimaced when he saw the frown on
Ben's face. "What was that all about, Joseph?" Ben asked,
as he
stepped up on the sidewalk so he was now standing in front of his
youngest son.
"What? That? You mean Sam bringin'
me my hat?
Oh. . .ummmm.
.
.it's nothin',
step by his father.
Ben grabbed his son's arm and pulled him through the door of the
saloon. "Sam? Sam?" Ben called.
The barkeep walked over and frowned at Joe. "What are you
doing
back in here?" He asked.
"Sam did this young man do something to
upset
you?" Ben asked, still
holding Joe's arm.
"Ben you need to keep that boy under control." Sam shook his
finger
at Joe. "That young man is lucky that Lily didn't pound him
herself."
"Is that so?" Ben asked, as he leaned closer to the bar.
"Give me a
beer, Sam. Then you can tell me all about it."
"Yeah, me too." Joe piped up.
Ben and Sam simply glared at Joe. "Water,
how
about water?" Joe
pleaded.
Sam put a beer on the bar for Ben and then slid Joe a glass of
water. He picked it up and took a long drink. "Mmm. . .water sure
is good." Joe said, sarcastically.
"Be quiet, Joseph." Ben said, as he lifted his cool drink
to his
parched lips. "Now, Sam. What did my youngest son
do?"
"Well, Ben. I hate to be so rough with the boy. But he
came in
here like he owned the place. He was being kinda
smart and he kept
trying to talk Lily into taking him. .
.well you
know . . .Ben." The
man leaned closer and whispered. "Upstairs."
Joe choked on his water as he heard the word escape Sam's
lips. Ben
gave his son one of those `looks'.
"I told him to hit the road, Ben. But that boy just didn't
get
the
hint. So I helped him out the door." Sam stood up and started
to
refill Ben's glass.
"Is that so?" Ben said, as he took the now full glass.
"Well, I'll
make sure he doesn't bother anyone for awhile."
Ben sat his drink on the counter and then turned for a moment to
get
some bills from his vest pocket. Joe reached over trying to
sneak
the full glass when Ben slapped his hand.
"Go wait outside, young man. We will discuss this when we get
home." Ben spoke in a tone not to be argued with.
Joe gulped as he rubbed the spot Ben had smacked. He smiled
wearily
at the barkeep and then headed outside.
Within a few moments Ben was standing beside his youngest
son. He
grabbed his arm and dragged him to his horse.
Ben then mounted Buck and they headed for home. "You wanted
to
go
upstairs back at the saloon? Is that correct, Joseph?" Ben
asked.
Joe cleared his throat. "Yes, sir.
I did kinda try to get Lily
upstairs, sir."
"Do you know what they do upstairs, Joseph?"
Joe thought to himself for a moment. He was seventeen not
just some
dumb kid, he had an idea.
"Well sorta, sir."
"I see." Ben began, "well let me tell you. When we get
home you
will be going upstairs–but I assure you that you will not be
getting
what you were expecting back there."
"Yes, sir." Joe said, with a sadden
voice.
Joe knew exactly what his father was referring too. Joe had
been
expecting to have a bit of a heated night. But having the
seat of
his pants heated for him was not exactly what he had in mind.
Joe shifted in his saddle at the thought of what his father had
planned for him. Then his thoughts shifted to how he had
planned to
end his night with a sweet smelling lady by his side. He
never
dreamed the evening would end with his rear end being as red as
Lily's lipstick. He was hoping to be wearing red on his
collar but
now he will be seeing red in a spot know one would see.
The End
Gail G.