By Robin
"Boys? What are you doing in here?" Ben Cartwright asked as he
walked into
the room. His three sons were standing shoulder to shoulder in a half circle
in front of the fire place. Both Joe and Hoss had their hands clasped
together, as if they were praying and Adam seemed to be giving a sermon.
" If you have a butterfly... and set it free, and it doesn't come back
to
you, it wasn't yours any way!" explained Adam to his brothers.
Ben raised his eyebrows "Son? Is that from the bible? Shakespeare?"
He
couldn't quite remember what Adam was quoting.
"I learned this in Frisco, in '68...the summer of love," Adam
explained.
"I don't want to set it free, Adam," said Joe peeping into his
hands where
he gently held the fragile insect. Joe had separation issues.
"Set yours free, Hoss," Adam urged with a dramatic sweep of his
hand.
" Ummm… I think I sort of squished my butterfly," said Hoss. "ooops!"
" EEEEEEEEEw?" Joe shuddered. As tough as he was, the thought
of a smooshed
butterfly was more than he could stand. He turned pale and tears flowed.
"Are you sure,
Hoss? Maybe you are over reacting?"
" I really think I squished my butterfly," Hoss said. "Maybe
we can have a
real nice butterfly funeral, Pa."
" I think you boys need a night in town," sighed Ben. "Maybe
a couple of
nights…maybe a week...and less watching Oprah."
" Do you mean…." Hoss stammered.
" Do you mean, you want us to have some time off?" Joe said, a
tear trickled
down his cheek.
" Yes! YES! Leave in the morning!" Ben ordered.
"In the morning? Aren't we having a funeral for the butterfly?"
Hoss
wailed.
" Leave now! RIGHT AWAY! No funeral for the butterfly! I'll pack your
bags!"
Ben roared.
Adam smiled knowingly as Ben went upstairs.
" I told you we could get Pa to let us take a few days off!" Adam
grinned.