Share I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the original Cartwright characters… nor do I own Albert Michaelson or his father, Sam. A 'What if' I got off "Look to the Stars"…of course, this 'what if' changes the whole storyline. However, in this story, Mr. Michaelson is a widower. Actually, 'the what if' I got came straight from Mr. Michaelson's mouth. *The first bit of this comes straight from the episode 'Look to the Stars', with the exception that there is, as I just said, no Mrs. Michaelson and I've taken one tiny comment Mr. Michaelson makes out of it. The part that is NOT my creation, I will put in italics. Later on, as usual, any personal thoughts will also be in italics. Don't Forget the Stars Chapter One
"Thank you, Sam." Ben said as he took the sack from Mr. Michaelson and laid it on top of the other ones in the back of the wagon.
"I hope Hop Sing likes the Crockery." Sam smiled at Ben, he knew how picky Hop Sing was, when it came to the kitchen and his cooking.
"He'll like the crockery all right, he'd better. Hey, tell Mike hello." Ben admired the way the boy was always doing what he could to learn something more.
"Sure, he'll be sorry he missed you." Sam replied.
While Sam and Ben were talking Michael was up on the roof enjoying the new telescope Adam had been kind enough to get for him. So, engrossed was he didn't pay attention when he pointed the instrument downwards, allowing the sun to go through the glass and onto the wagon, and the crate filled with straw. Ben started sniffing the air, something was wrong. Smoke! "What's wrong?" Sam asked.
"Something's burning!" Ben looked around, horrified to see the flames that were jumping up from the crate the crockery was in."It's the crate!" Ben ran, jumped up on the wagon, picked up the crate and threw it onto the ground. Alas, it landed near the horses and spooked them; they went wild, and Ben was thrown through the air.
Ben felt the wagon lurch forward; he saw too late where he, in his hurry to get the crate off the wagon, had thrown the crate. As he flew off the wagon he saw Adam coming out of the store, a look of horror in his eyes. It was the last thing Ben saw.
"Pa!" Adam yelled and ran to his father's side, as did others. "Pa!" Ben did not answer, he couldn't; he was unconscious. "Go get the doctor!" Adam barked. He needn't have bothered; Mr. Michaelson had already taken off to do so.
Adam saw the papers flittering to the ground and looked up to the top of the store building. A very shocked, upset, Mike met his eyes. As soon as Adam saw the telescope next to the lad, and the angle it was pointed at, Adam knew what had started the fire. A part of Adam was angry at the lad. How could Mike be so careless with that thing! A part of him though, told Adam it was his own fault, for not making sure the boy understood exactly what could happen if you weren't careful with an instrument like that. He turned his attention back to his pa.
Dr. Martin who had arrived and was checking Ben over looked at Adam and said, "Get a stretcher of some sort. We've got to get your pa to my office without endangering that back of his." He didn't have to say what he feared; Adam already feared the same thing. He, and a few men, hurried to do as the doctor directed.
"Is…Is he going to be all right?" Mike, who had flown down the stairs leading to the inside of the store, now stood near the doctor and down at Mr. Cartwright. He had to be all right. He, Michael, fought to keep the fear out of his voice. He hadn't meant any harm. He wasn't trying to hurt anyone.
"I don't know, son, I really don't know." Dr. Martin continued checking Ben over until Adam and the men came with a stretcher and, together, carefully moved Mr. Cartwright onto it. Then, together, Adam and the men hurried as fast as they dared to Dr. Martin's office.
"I didn't mean it, Adam." Mike kept up with Adam and the men as they headed for the doctor's office. "I was just taking different notes down. I didn't know the wagon was directly below the glass."
With the fear for his pa's well being, even his life, in danger, along with the knowledge that the responsibility of the ranch and his brothers would fall onto him, should the worst happen, pressing down upon him Adam snapped. He turned his head slightly and barked, "I gave you that telescope so you could learn something, not as a lethal weapon!" As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Adam wanted to take them back. Mike's face fell and he turned around and ran off towards the store.
"Way to go, Adam." Adam thought to himself as a bystander hurried to open the door and let the men in. " As soon as you find out what's going on with your pa, you're going to have to go make things right with that lad. He doesn't need the guilt that he's probably taken upon himself right now."