Adam gently stroked Joe's arm and placed a kiss on top of his head. The biddy rolled her eyes. Adam, fed up with her silent meddling said evenly, "What? Haven't you seen a man give his brother a kiss before?"
The biddy hmpffed. "I should say not."
"Well, now you have," he told her with typical Adam candor.
Indignant, she removed herself from the offending presence of the the brothers. Good let her torment someone else for the next hours.
Adam looked at Joe grateful for the slumber he was in. He had not slept well since the telegram had arrived a couple of weeks ago.
@@@@@@@@@
"Hey, Pa!" Little Joe came through the front door with enthusiasm. "Michelle's roan is gonna be a mother!" He stopped, puzzled that his father had not commented about him slamming the door.
"Hmm?" Ben Cartwright who was sitting at his desk looked up from the telegram he was reading.
"Pa, did you even hear me?"
Ben looked serious. "Sit down, Joseph," he said quietly.
'I must not be in trouble.' Joseph thought. 'Or he'd be yelling.' He propped himself on the edge of the desk.
"Joseph..." Ben began. There was a pause. "Here read this." He handed his son the message he had been reading.
{Dear Mr. Cartwright, Clay Stafford is in San Francisco Hospital. Not much time to live. He didn't want anyone to know but thought you should. signed Sister Mary Martha.}
Joe looked up from the telegram, a disbelieving horror on his face. "Pa?"
Ben rose and rounded the desk.
"Pa, I want to go to him... and don't try to stop me."
Ben rested a hand on Joe's shoulder. "I figured you might. And no one is going to stop you. But you had best get going."
Joe stood. He turned to his father and hugged him hard suddenly needing something strong to hold on to. Ben's arms encircled his son and he held firmly yet with all the love a father had.
@@@@@@@@@
Little Joe was in his room hastily packing a bag. Millions of thoughts rushed through his mind. The telegram had not said what was putting a premature end to his brother's life.
"Joe?" His brother Adam's voice interrupted his pondering.
"Not now, Adam."
Adam entered the room. "Pa told me about Clay." "Relieved, are you?"
Adam knew it was hurt talking. "Pa said you were going to see him... and, well, I'd like to make the trip with you."
"Why? You don't even like him."
Adam moved closer. "That may be. But I LOVE you. You should have someone with you... for support."
Seeing the concern in his brother's eyes Joe relented. "Okay," he said hoarsely. "Go pack."
"I already did."
@@@@@@@@@
The train ride to San Francisco was the longest trip Joe had ever known. Then the walk from the station to the small hospital facility.
Inside the door of the hospital Joe froze. Adam patted his shoulder then went to talk with a nun at the main desk. Returning to Joe he said, "I've got his room number."
Dread swept over Joe. "I...can't."
Adam's voice was reassuring. "Yes, you can. I'll be with you every step of way." He took his brother's hand like he had when Joe was young and was afraid to go in to the school house. He held his hand as they walked the corridor to Clay's room where Adam remained in the doorway while Joe nervously approached the bed.
Clay's eyes were closed, his breathing even. The color gone from his skin. Joe inched his hand shakily to Clay's arm. As it came to rest he leaned in and kissed Clay lightly on the forehead.
Clay's eyes popped open as Joe eased himself into a sitting position on the bed.
"Joe," Clay pushed out weakly. "What are you doing here?"
"I should ask you the same thing."
"How did you find out?"
"Got a telegram. From Sister..."
"Mary Martha. She's my nurse. She's been telling me I should contact my family." Then for some reason he turned his head. "Hi, Adam."
"Clay," Adam acknowledged.
Clay turned back to Joe. "I guess she told you everything."
Joe shook his head. "Just that you were here." He paused as his voice cracked with emotion. "And that you don't have long..." He couldn't say the rest.
"She shouldn't have told you."
Adam's voice came from the doorway. "You're right. She shouldn't have. You should have." He folded his arms and leaned against the jamb. "But you could still fill in some blanks."
Clay stared at Adam a moment then back to Joe who was miserably trying to fight tears. "Okay. I have what they call renal failure... my kidneys quit working."
Adam straightened. "You must have known this when you visited."
"I did. That's the reason I came... and brought your picture back."
"Isn't there anything they can do?" Joe asked.
Clay shook his head. There were several tense minutes of silence before Clay spoke again. "Joe, me not wanting you to know... I just didn't want you to have to watch me die."
"Clay, you're my brother..."
"I know. I don't always have this brother thing down pat. I'm sorry."
"I just regret that I never really got to know you," Joe said softly. "I mean I love you but..."
Clay's hand came from beneath the blanket and rested on Joe's. "I know what you mean. Want to try now?"
"Yeah."
Adam slipped away letting the two be alone.
Four days later Clay passed away peacefully Little Joe at his side. It was arranged for him to be buried on the Ponderosa reunited with his mother Marie Cartwright.
THE END