After the argument Ben decides to go out to the barn and check on his son. Joe was chocking back sobs as he was brushing Cochise.
Ben walks up behind him as he saw Joe's shoulders shaking. He places a comforting hand on his young son's shoulder. Joe turns around knowing who it was and without a warning Joe embraces his father and starts to cry harder.
"I'm sorry Pa. I didn't mean it….I didn't mean it" said Joe between sobs feeling remorseful for what he had down and said.
Ben strokes Joe's light brown curly hair comfortingly before pulling him away and kneeling down to Joe's eye level.
"What happen to the knife?" asked Ben calmly as he dried Joe's tears with his thumb.
"I know I wasn't suppose to go into Adam's room but I was looking for him so I can apologize for fighting but he wasn't there and I went to talk out of the room but I accidentally knock over his knife and it fell on the floor" said Joe.
"Why didn't you come to me when it happened or to Adam?" asked Ben. "Because Adam would get angry and not listen to me and if I told you then you'll lecture me about going to Adam's room without permission and I was afraid that you would tan me for breaking Adam's knife" sobbed Joe.
"It's alright Joe I'll talk to Adam and tell him what really happen" said Ben. "Can ya tell him that it really was an accident and that I didn't mean to break it?" asked Joe. Ben hugs him and says "Sure now get back to your chores".
Ben gets up and walks back to the house and up to Adam's room where was sitting at the side of his bed feeling guilty for what he said. "You had no right to yell at Joe the way you did" scolded Ben. "Right now your brother is out in the barn crying because of what you did".
Adam looks up at Ben. "He came up here looking for you to apologize for the fighting and he accidentally knocked your knife over and it fell on the floor. Your brother was terrified to tell you and I can guess you know why".
Adam looks at him surprised. "I'm sorry that I lost my temper Pa" said Adam sincerely.
"You need to make things right with Joe before you get into even more fights. Do you want to remember spending these last few months fighting with Joe instead of spending quality time together?" asked Ben concerned.
"Of course not Pa but it's hard for me to think about leaving Joe especially since all we do is fight and argue and say stupid things" said Adam full of guilt.
Joe walks up the stairs to his room when he hears Adam and Ben talking. Curiously he walks over to the slightly open door and listens to the conversation.
"I'm glad that I'm going away to college and away from Joe" he heard Adam say. Joe couldn't believe it Adam really didn't want him around anymore. Not wanting to hear anymore he hurries into his room and starts to pack a suitcase. "At least we won't be fighting" finished Adam.
Ben nods in agreement. Neither one of them knew that Joe had been listening to them.