The Departure
By TLR
An unexpected incident involving Adam and Joe.
Rated PG

Disclaimer: All Bonanza characters belong to the Bonanza rights holders. No copyright infringement intended. No profit is being made.

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Adam and Joe rode their horses toward town to pick up a lumber contract.

“I think Miriam will do,” Joe said out of the blue.

Adam's right eye screwed shut from the sun as he looked over at him. “Excuse me?”

“I'm taking her to the dance Saturday night.”

“I thought it was Selena.”

“It was, but Selena came down with the flu, so Miriam offered to take her place.”

“How generous of her. She always wanted her hands on a Cartwright.”

“Big brother, I got news for you. Not every girl is out for my money. Some of them want me for my adorable charm and good looks.”

Adam rolled his eyes in exasperation, but a dimpled smile passed between them.

“Well,” Adam said, “at least you--”

The sound of pebbles rolling overhead--movement--and Adam could only sit still on his horse as the wolf sprang from the outcrop and pounced on his brother, knocking him from his horse and onto the ground.

“Adam!”

The pinto bolted sideways. Adam never noticed his own horse doing the same.

“Help!”

Joe offered up his right forearm as his left reached for his gun and shoved it into the wolf's throat, pulling the trigger.

The wolf collapsed dead next to Joe. Joe checked his arm—cut but  not badly—then rolled over onto his side, holstering his gun and panting.

“Hey,” he croaked hoarsely as his hand raised toward his brother, a little shaken. “Can you give me a hand? I need--”

Joe took a good look at his older brother. Adam sat in his saddle staring at the wolf with glassy eyes and a slack face, his horse prancing restlessly, hand on the butt of his gun.

“Adam? Talk to me.”

Adam turned his horse sharply to the right and galloped in the opposite direction.

Joe climbed to his feet, picked up his hat and dusted off his pants. He jumped onto the pinto, torn between going after the contract or going after Adam.

“Come on, Cochise,” he said as he kicked the pinto into gear and raced after his brother.

But when he galloped down one hill and to the top of the next, he saw that Adam was too far away to hear him if he yelled, and too far away to really catch up.

Sighing, Joe turned the pinto around and went into town after the contract. His father would give him a raking if he didn't.

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It was almost dark and Ben was updating the ledger when Joe came in and placed the contract on his desk.

“Thank you, Joe,” Ben said without looking up. “Hop Sing saved some dinner for you.”

Joe nodded, Ben not noticing his bandaged forearm, or, that instead of his son heading for the dining room table, he went upstairs.

Joe walked to Adam's bedroom door. It was open, so he walked in, seeing that Adam was packing a few favorite clothes, his music box, a book, a pocket watch, and his razor into a carpet bag on his bed.

“What are you doing?”

“What's it look like I'm doing?”

“It looks like you're going somewhere.”

“Brilliant.”

“But, why? Because of what happened today? I'm fine, Adam. Nothing happened.”

“This time. I stalled. It could have gotten you killed.”

“But it didn't.”

“But it could have. What if you hadn't gotten the wolf when you did? What about the next time? What if it isn't you, but Pa, or Hoss?”

“Adam--”

Adam closed the carpet bag and walked past him, going down the stairs.

Ben looked from Adam to Joe, then, seeing the look on Joe's face and Adam walking toward the door, shot to his feet.

“What's going on?” he asked coming around his desk.

“Ask him,” Adam said as he walked on out.

But Ben didn't ask Joe, he followed Adam out, Joe behind him, saying, “He froze, Pa. A wolf jumped me today--”

“A wolf?!” Ben asked glancing at Joe's arm. Why am I just now hearing about it?!”

He didn't wait for an answer. He followed Adam to the barn.

“Where are you going?”

“I'm not sure,” Adam said as he went into the barn and started saddling his horse.

“Don't be ridiculous,” Ben said. “Let's talk about this.”

“Nothing to talk about,” Adam said as he draped the handle of the carpet bag over the saddle horn.

Ben grabbed his shoulders and turned him around.

“Son...”

Adam blinked, ignoring Joe, who stood just inside the barn door, but gave his father a direct look.

“I should have left when I had my chances, Pa. After the first attack. After Kyle. I'm not good here anymore. Today proved it.”

“Don't talk like that. We all have moments of weakness. Self-doubt. It's understandable.”

Adam's head went down. “I have to go.”

“Are you coming back?”

“I don't know. Maybe when things are better.”

Adam swung up on his horse. Joe came over and held onto the reins.

“Adam, think it over. You're just spooked. You'll get over it.”

“Son,” Ben said. “Running away from something isn't the answer.”

“I'm not running from,” Adam said quietly as he looked from one to the other. “I'm running to. I love this place, Pa, but at what price? Joe's life? I'm not willing to pay it. I need some time, before it's too late, and I can't do it here.”

Ben looked at Joe, as if for help.

Adam squeezed his father's shoulder. “Tell Hoss I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. I'll write.”

Adam gently nudged his horse between his father and brother, and they had no choice but to turn and watch him leave the barn.

“Pa,” Joe swallowed as he moved toward Adam. “Stop him.”

Ben took his arm and pulled him back.

“It's his decision, Joe. Do you really want him to stay here if he doesn't want to?”

Joe didn't answer as his brother turned the horse left and disappeared from their sight.

 

The End