The Cartwright family
Summary: First in my Cartwright family series (if Marie hadn't died)! In this one Joe believes his father doesn't want him around because he keeps messing up. Just to make his beliefs a reality he over hears a conversation between the hands about how bad Joe is and how much it affects Ben's happiness and health. (First fanfic so be easy with the flames!)
Chapter 1
"Joseph Francis Cartwright get your butt out of bed this instant!" I called from the dinning room table where my family…well most of my family was seated.
"Joe, if I have to come up there you will be sorry, young man!" called Ben Cartwright that husband of mine and father of three wonderful children. Adam, Hoss, and of course Little Joe, and soon enough Joe camp fumbling down the steps saying I'm comin', I'm comin'!
"Well, its about time," I said picking a fried egg from off the table and putting it on my plate, "you almost missed breakfast…again." I gave him a stare for that one because he has been late for the last week now! He knows better than that!
"So pa," Adam stared the eldest of the boys, who is now almost 28, " what where you saying about me and Hoss going down to Virginia City today?"
"Oh yes! Here is a list of the items I need for the surprise party we having for Sheriff Coffee tonight and make sure he is coming at 5 o'clock sharp," said Ben.
"We know pa," said Hoss our middle son who is almost 25 now.
"I know! But I want this to be as good as any party can be. Sheriff has done so much for us in the past and we need to show him that we all care, anyway I forgot his birthday last year!" said Ben in his lecture voice.
"OK pa, " said Joe, " we will make this special and what do you me to do?" he asked still rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Well, first off I want to know where you were all night! You didn't get home until midnight way past your curfew!" said Ben with is brow all scrunched up with frustration. Joe is the youngest almost 17 and wildest in the family and Ben well he hasn't had a great week. He has been under a lot for stress getting ready for the party and all this nonsense isn't going to help it and Joe knows it!
"W-well", Joe stammered, "I got into a poker game and forgot all about the time and you know how long the ride is back home so…" Joe just stopped right there because he knew he wasn't getting out of trouble this time!
"Joseph! You know how I feel about you playing in those poker games with all those older men if they think your cheating you will be shot at and you know that! Anyway, you know how much I dislike you all being at the saloon too much and too long," staring at all of his sons. "It's not good for your moral about our belief we do not need to be consuming too many drinks and be with girls that barely have a skirt on!" Ben practically screamed.
"Sorry, pa" the young Cartwrights mumbled.
"Well then," I said trying to change the subject. "Joe you can come with me riding to make sure everyone who we invited can come so we can come and get a head count for dinner. So chop, chop everybody no time to waist go saddle up the horses and get the buggy ready for the trip to town."
"Yes, ma'am" all three boys said in unison, as they all walked out to the barn together.
"Thanks," said Ben leaning over to kiss me on the check. "I don't know what I'm going to do with them." He said shaking his head, "Am I too old for this? I get so tired now!"
"I don't know, but what I do know is that God knows what he's doing so stop worrying," I said as I playfully slapped him on the arm. He soon laughed and I joined in. We moved to the living room to talk. We waited for the boys to come back and announce that everything was ready.
"Well ma," said Joe, "everything is ready so let's go!" He said as he bounded out of the house to his beloved horse Cochise.
"We will be home soon my love," I said to Ben and lightly kissed him on the lips.
"I will be here waiting for you," he said. "Also, please keep and eye on Joe for me he has been a trouble maker for some time now and I don't want that to spoil tonight," he asked at only a whisper so no one would hear. To bad Joe heard the whole thing. Soon, he hung his head low that he is a sham and a bother to his family.