Confessions and Revenge In a plan devised by Stuart, Hoss tricked Little Joe in to confessing what he did. As usual, Joe was waiting for Hoss to get out of football practice to take them both home. Joe was a drummer for the band and a good one too. Only problem was, he knew it.

Band practice had been over for half an hour when football practice let out. Joe was sitting on the steps, 'air' drumming to the music on his Walkman. He was lost in the song and didn't even notice Hoss walk by him, until Stuart kicked his foot.

"You going home? Or are taking up residence here?" he asked.

"I'm coming. Where's Hoss?" Joe answered getting to his feet.

Stuart pointed to where Hoss was already out to his truck. He was standing by the door with his head in his hands.

"What's wrong with him?" Joe asked.

"Melly dumped him," Stu whispered.

"She did?" He gulped.

"Yep, Hoss don't know why, but he is totally pissed!"

"She really dumped him? I didn't think she'd terminate him! I didn't mean for.., Oh, MAN!" Joe exclaimed.

"What do you mean, Joe? You didn't have anything to do with it did you?"

"Oh, man, Stu! I kinda told Judy that I would get Hoss to take Jessica to the dance so she could go with me. I wasn't even thinking about Melly, when I said it." Joe confessed. He felt worse by the minute, knowing he had gotten Hoss hurt.

"YOU WHAT?! DUDE, HOSS IS GOING TO CREAM YOUR ASS!"

Joe unconsciously slowed his steps.

"Hoss, I'm going to fix everything," he said, still well out of his brother's reach. "I promise! I'll call Judy and fix things with Jessica. I didn't remember Melly last night. I swear! Just don't kill me!"

"You fergot that I've had a girlfriend for a year?" Hoss asked, unbelieving.

"Yeah, sort of," Joe flinched. "Don't worry, though. I'm gonna fix everything."

"Darn right, you are," Hoss replied.

As Joe walked around to the passenger side of the truck, he saw Hoss's letter jacket. Melly must have really dumped him. Suddenly, getting in an enclosed space with his brother didn't seem like such a good ideal.

"I think I'm going to ride in back," Joe said, climbing in the bed of the truck.

"Ya' sure? Joe, its kinda cold today."

"I'll be fine. The fresh air'll do me good." And I'll be out of your reach.

"Suit yourself," Hoss grinned at Stu. Little Joe was punishing himself. It was a thirty minute ride back to the Ponderosa. He wasn't even mad at Joe either. Joe was always acting without thinking and this was just another time. Besides, Melly wasn't upset with him, so there was no permanent damage done. "Get in Stu. I'll drop you off at Sheriff Coffee's office."

Virtual Ranching Meanwhile, Ben was sitting at his computer, checking stock prices and corresponding with buyers, when the messenger tone sounded.
BigDaddyMac Has Sent You An Instant

Message. Do You Wish To Accept

It?

YES No Questions

appeared on his screen. Not knowing or wanting to know BigDaddyMac, he clicked no and went back to his work. It came up again. Then again. This time he clicked yes, intending to tell this whacko to pester someone else or be reported.

BigDaddyMac: HEY, BUTTHEAD!

Ponderosa: Excuse, me?

BigDaddyMac: YOU BITE, CARTWRIGHT!!!!!!!!

Ponderosa: Who are you?

BigDaddyMac: Has Hoss rearranged your vital organs yet? You really screwed up this time, Joe.

Ben smiled, realizing this must be one of Joe's 'friends', if you could call a person who hurled insults at you a friend.

Before he could tell this young person he was not Joe, another message popped up.

BigDaddyMac: Check this, Sally says Melanie dumped him over your little stunt.

Ponderosa: Excuse me, this is Mr. Cartwright, not Joseph.

Silence.

BigDaddyMac: Ooh, sorry, Mr. Ben. I won't bug you anymore. Night
BigDaddyMac has Logged Off.

Ben couldn't help but wonder if Melly had dumped Hoss, and if she had, just what did Joe have to do with it.