ADAM, ADAM..HOSS..PA, HELP ME
by
Moreau
Ben was spending Saturday night next to his son’s sick bed. Joe was found unconscious near the lake by his brothers. They were looking for the scamp after he ran off in full temper. That day played over in Ben’s mind.
It was hot that day, Joe whined about doing his chores and wanted to go
swimming with his friends Mitch and Seth. He was told to do his chores or
there would be even more to do.
Joe’s protest only brought down a hard hand on his retreating backside with
orders to clean the chicken coop.
When Adam went to check on Joe, the boy was gone along with his horse. Both brothers were told to find him and bring him back home by one livid Ben Cartwright. Heading for the obvious place, the lake, Adam found Joe lying unconscious. Seth and Mitch said Joe never showed up where they planned to meet. It was a mystery as to what happened to him.
The doctor proclaimed Joe had no injuries other than a bump on the head and should be coming out of it soon enough. That was hours ago. Ben noticed Joe moved only a few times to scratch an itchy nose.
As he read a bible passage to himself, Joe stirred calling out for his brother’s one by one then to him calling for help. Ben took his hand in his gently stroking the boy’s hand coaxing him to awaken. “Joe it’s your Pa, wake up son, please wake up.”
“Help me please.” Joe called out.
Adam and Hoss were both now awake and at their brother’s doorstep. “Poor pumpkin, he gonna be alright Pa?” Hoss said with a worried heart.
“He will be a might sore tomorrow Hoss. In fact I venture this young man will be so sore he won’t be able to ride or even wear his britches with comfort for maybe a few weeks. Will you JOSEPH!” Ben roared.
“Joe flinched, how did you know Pa?
“Easy Joseph, after all I am your Pa. Nobody knows you better. I knew you were faking when you scratched that nose. Now open those eyes son.
“Help me Adam, Hoss…
End over End