Chapter

Summer's End

Hoss's mind was lost in his thoughts as he rode into town. He thought of school and how different things were going to be this year. He was going to be the talk of the town. This time in a good way. He had muscles and was going to be a man. The boys. Oh how shocked were they going to be. He must have grown two inches in just a few months. He was stronger and more handsome. No way were they going to make fun of him now.

"Oh look who it is." The voice broke his thoughts. Kyle and Travis rode up from behind him. "It's fatty." And just like that things were back to the way he'd always known them. Nothing had changed. He thought of the wise words his father has said. Pride comes before a fall. What did he have to be proud of? He thought of the Lord and all his mighty works. You couldn't have given me one day.

The entire day had passed as if nothing had changed. Well that wasn't entirely true. One thing had changed which Kyle was quick to point out. "Look who came back, and with no big brother here to protect you." Oh he never felt so alone. Why couldn't summer time last forever?

~.~

Joe ran to greet his older brother with open arms as he came through the door.

"Hey Little Joe." Joe's smile was wide while Hoss's was soft but growing wider with Joe's enthusiasm. He lifted Joe and the small boy wrapped his arms around him like a chimpanzee.

"Hey Hoss, how was your first day back?" His father asked.

"Oh, it was great Pa."

"You want to play a game?"

"Sure thing, Little Joe. Just let me set my stuff down." He set Little Joe back down and went off to his room. He set his school satchel on top his bed. Then caught a glance of himself in the looking glass. Afraid of what he might see he turned away. Little Joe was expecting him, he was not one to disappoint.

~.~

His second day was much like the first. Whispered insults. "Fatty." "Ugly." "Stupid." The class was set up by age. In a class of 20 students, the younger students taking the front rows and working their way by age to the older students in the back. Hoss moved back a row since last year, sitting in the second to the last row on the far left. Travis sat next to him as he was only a month or two older than him. Behind him Kyle who was 14 a little over a year older than Hoss. Sally 14 and 15 year old Amanda shared the back row, privy to listen in on the whispered insults. A couple of the boys from last year weren't there this year. Malvet and Dave were gone. Aged out. He could hardly wait until he was old enough to age out. Adam was 17 when he aged out, though for the last few years most of his studies were independent as there wasn't much more their teacher could teach him. His time at school would mostly be spent helping the other kids with their studies. Most boys age out years before him. Malvet and Dave at 15. Other boys leave at 13. He wished he could have aged out at 13. They were the lucky ones, but knowing his pa he'd likely make him stay a few more years. Maybe even as long as Adam. Malvet and Dave were really mean to him last year and he was grateful to at least have them gone. Though Kyle and Travis, both smaller than Hoss in height and weight, were their understudies and seemed all too eager to pick up the reigns in the absence of their mentors.

The weight of the day slumped his shoulders. His ride home was slow but steady. Kyle shares the same road he takes to get home. Kyle lived with his father who Hoss only seen a few times as he had a reputation for being a bit of a shut-in. The two of them lived down Steep Pine road on Rocky Acres Ranch just a few miles outside of town. He overheard Travis invite Kyle to his house as he pulled his horse from the stables. Travis a brunette lived in town. His parents owned the Feed & Mercantile shop in town. Expecting Kyle and Travis not to be taking this road now, Hoss still didn't truly feel like he could breathe again until he passed Steep Pine.

~.~

He drew in a long breath as he entered his own yard to straighten himself. Before he had a chance to stable his horse Little Joe runs out of the house to greet him shouting his name all the while before jumping into his arms. It cracked him up how he did that. Every day Joe would greet him as if he'd spent years away. The exuberance in his greeting would bring an instant smile to his face. No matter how difficult the day was for him. Spending hot tiring hours working the ranch or away at school it was always the same. That same energy as Hoss would walk in through the door. Sometimes, like today, though his horse wouldn't make a sound, Joe knew he was out here and wouldn't wait for Hoss to come in. In never ceased to bring a smile to his face and just like that the day's hardship would melt away.

"Hey there little scamp. How was your day?"

"Hopsing made cinnamon rolls."

"Well that sounds mighty good."

"Supper comes first." His father announced from the open doorway.

"That's fine by me Pa. I've got an appetite to feed a small army."

"It's still going to be a bit before suppers ready. Come inside and get washed up." His father turned from the doorway.

"They let me have a roll already." Little Joe snickered from his arms. "Said if I didn't eat mine now I might not get to when you got home."

"That was a smart move. As soon as I figure out where Hopsing's got them hidden there might not be any left for dessert." He ruffled Joe's hair and began to walk into the house with him.

"Don't forget to stable your horse." The bellow came from inside stopping Hoss in his tracks. He set Joe down and swatted his butt for good measure sending Joe back in the house before turning around to tend to his mound. "Gracie, I nearly forgot about you. Little Joe had me all confused. All this talk about cinnamon rolls. I nearly forgot myself."

~.~

Ms. Harper stood at the front of the class. She was working on basic arithmetic with the younger students. The older ones were supposed to be reading to themselves. Hoss was mostly staring at the pages. He gave it an honest effort though. He read paragraph upon paragraph but then realized he didn't absorb what it was he just read. Frustrated he would go back and read again and the result would be the same. Somewhere along the way he gave up and found himself just staring at the pages. A pain shot through his back and he jerked up. Kyle and Travis snickered at his response. Hoss felt himself getting red from embarrassment or shame. Ms. Harper glanced up from her spot aside Frankie Bartlett, a six year old fair haired boy at the front. The boys held their snickers behind their books and Hoss stared back down at his own to avert the attention off of him.

~.~

"Hoss. We got a letter from your brother." His father announced as he came through the door. His smile picked up instantly.

"What's it say Pa?" The boys sat by the fire as their father read aloud.

Dear Pa,

I've gotten settled in. I've found my dorm room and have met my new roommate. His name is Chauncy Wright. Born and raised in Massachusetts. He's studying philosophy and mathematics. We're getting along well so far, though already we've gotten into some long debates. He's an interesting fellow. A bit intense at times. He says I challenge him, and that I am a "cheeky fellow" and "worthy adversary."

Believe it or not, he is not the most interesting fellow I've met here. There's another kid. He doesn't attend the University. He is still too young for that. He's the second son of the great actor Junius Brutus Booth. His name is Edwin. He comes from a Maryland upbringing but has been in Boston for a few years now. He a good kid.

I've done some research and I found the house ma grew up in. I haven't been there yet. I expect to though within the week. I only have that much time left before I expect to be knee deep in my studies, as classes start next week. Although by the time this letter reaches you they likely would have started already.

I'm happy to hear all is well with Hoss and Little Joe. I miss them dearly. I've been holding onto the way I left them and have been unable to shake the feeling that maybe I could have done more for them. It helps to know they are doing well. Perhaps I won't worry for them as much and I could focus on what I need to do here. I will always worry for them though, but maybe not as much. Give them both humongous hugs for me and give them both my regards.

Your loving son,

Adam

Their pa set down the letter. Hoss let his mind escape off in blissful reverence.

"Well you heard him." Their pa broke the silence. They looked back confused. His pa opened his arms wide and said "Get over here." He demanded boisterously. Joe giggled and got up to run off which was exactly the response Ben was expecting. Walking like a grizzly, he stomped after Joe who giggled with delight, chasing him around the dining room table. Hoss laughed rapturously as he watched them play. When his pa finally caught the boy it was every bit of what Joe had expected. His pa hugged him so tight it left him just enough air to keep laughing.

The letter couldn't have come a day too soon. It felt good to finally hear from their brother. That night both boys slept a little bit better as they thought of their oldest brother and the adventures he was living.

~.~

They'd gotten away with pinching Hoss the day prior so Kyle tested his boundaries to see how many more he could get away with today. The day's number ended in three. Three times he was pinched in the back while he sat at his desk. Each time his face would fire up as he did his best to squelch the pain and mask his emotions.

The days that followed the numbers of pinches gradually increased, and as if that wasn't enough Kyle would take to twisting the skin at every pinch which was that much more painful. It was a game to them. They planned their attack. Each time Hoss would begin to relax and unguard himself and their teacher would look away another pinch came. Their goal was to inflict the greatest amount of pain in the shortest amount of time and retreat again just as stealthily. By the time Ms. Harper would look up at whatever grabbed her attention all she would see was Hoss at his desk clenching his eyes and fist.

A week and a half went by like this. As he sat outside against the sycamore which used to be Adams favorite spot to read, Kyle had snuck up behind him and grabbed a fistful of hair and yanked. Then took off running towards the group of boys that waited for him by the schoolhouse. Again Hoss's face burned.

It wasn't until two weeks later when the first blow came. As he walked down the school house steps into the grounds for mandatory recess which would give Ms. Harper a chance to work more closely with the younger ones, Kyle waited for him to walk just far enough away from the door and struck him in his left shoulder blade. By itself it wasn't a huge deal but in conjunction with everything else it was just one more thing they'd do to break Hoss's spirit.

They tested their boundaries to see how much they could get away with. His days were filled with torment and ridicule. It came in waves day by day gradually swelling and then seceding. Periodic moments of peace followed by more abuse, seemingly worse than before.

Even the younger boys would join in. Namely, the three that sat a row up from him. Clay, Seth and Eden. There were spitballs and hair pulling and body chucks and shin kicks and skin twisting that would leave tiny welts on the fleshy portion of his torso; and the name calling. Oh there was plenty of name calling. Everyday more inventive. Words he didn't even know the meaning of, which only made him feel stupider than he already was. Not a day went by without them doing something to him." God he hated school.

~.~

Everyday just like the first, he'd go home and Little Joe would be there with open arms to greet him as if he'd just spent years away. He'd have to work a little harder each day at picking up his smile before greeting the tyke. He found himself picking Joe up less and less. After the first time Joe ran into his arms and he jerked at the shot of pain as Joe met bruises he became more guarded. He played it off saying, "Oh little Joe, you're getting to big for me to pick up." Of course that wasn't true. Joe was all bones and comparably small for his age, whereas Hoss was well, Hoss. He controlled just how the hug would go every evening and braced himself for the pain that would come anyways. The evenings would be swell. Full of love and laughter. Giggles. Lots of giggles. Then the night would come. The hours upon hours where he'd lie in the dark dreading the day to come.

~.~

"By the dim and yellow light of the moon," Standing before the other students at the front of the class, Kyle read with animation getting into the mindset of the character and playing it up as he did. Amanda and Sally snickered from the back as with some of the little ones. "As it forced its way through the window shutters, I beheld the wretch. The miserable monster whom I had created. He held up the curtain of the bed; and his eyes, if eyes they may be called, were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and he muttered some inarticulate sounds, while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He might have spoken, but I did not hear; one hand was stretched out, seemingly to detain me, but I escaped and rushed downstairs. I took refuge in the courtyard belonging to the house which I inhabited, where I remained during the rest of the night."

"Okay. That's far enough Kyle." Ms. Harper stopped him. "Sally, why don't you pick it up from there?"

"Hey Hoss. Want to play?" Kyle called to him as he sat in the shade of the Sycamore. He knew this was to be the beginning of a taunt. They couldn't really want to play with him. Kyle of all kids would be the last one to ask. "Come on. We need another person." The boys stood far off seemingly waiting for something to happen. Should he bite?

"What are you playing?" He tested the waters.

"Frankenstein. I'm Dr. Frankenstein and you're the beast." He cupped him in the head and ran off back to his friends. Turning around screaming. "Die monster, Die!" The kids laughed and taunted, joining in. "Die monster, Die!" Hoss felt himself getting flushed, bombarded in a tide of spurn.

~.~

"Pa, can I talk to you?"

"Sure son. What is it?"

"What do you think about me quittin' school?"

"What do you mean?'

"Well, it's just that I'm getting big now and I think I would be a lot more useful around the house is all. I really learned a lot over the summer and I think I got a pretty good idea of how the ranch works."

"That's true. You've really stepped up and proved yourself."

"With Adam being gone we're a man down and I think I'm needed here a lot more than at school. Will Reagan said I was a blessing to have around. I thought maybe I could just keep on helping him." Reagan was a good man who took Hoss under his wing. Ben thought there was more to Reagan's beneficence than that. That, perhaps Reagan was trying to fill the hole his son had created when he left. Reagan used Hoss to replace the son he'd lost. He was happy for the way Will accepted Hoss like he was his own and understood the pains of the aging foreman. He held no ill will towards him at all. This wasn't why Ben had to say no.

"Son. You've done very well. I'm very proud of how much you've stepped up. You've exceeded all of our expectations, but I really think you should continue on with your education. Someday I'm going to get too old. There will come a time when whether I like it or not, I'd have to hand over the reins. I'd like to give each of you boys a piece of this land and I want to feel right in believing that you could take on the responsibility of it."

"But Pa you said it yourself, I've exceeded your expectations."

"In the labor aspect sure. But there's more to it than that."

"Like what?"

"Accounting. There's labor cost. Supply and demand. Business deals. I'm sorry to say son you need work in these areas too."

~.~

"Hey fatty. Fat boy! You hear me talking to you. Answer me. You're nothing but a big, fat, tub of lard."

"Why don't you lose some weight?" Sally asked. "Do you like being fat?" Sally wasn't trying to be mean. Sally overheard Kyle's harsh words and had just about enough of them. She didn't admonish Kyle though. He supposed he should have been grateful about that. The last thing he would need is a girl fighting his battles for him. Instead Sally thought she was helping by confronting Hoss. He felt ugly enough as it was without the cute girl putting him down.

~.~

He stared at himself in the looking glass. Something he hadn't done in a long time. He hasn't had much more than a passing glance at himself since he's started school. Unwilling to see the ugly he had become. But Sally's words today left a mark. Now he forced himself to look. To really see himself. He wondered now how he could have ever allowed himself to believe he was turning handsome. The muscles he saw a few weeks ago were nothing more than more fat. His pa and family have always been so kind at never really saying anything to him. But in a way they did. They said things to him all the time. Little words. Words like "big" or "growing" or Joe's favorite word "galoot". They were always telling him how fat he was. They were telling him in not so many words. But they never just came out and said it. Hoss, you're too fat. You need to stop eating so much. They always allowed him to go on eating whatever he wanted. Never did much to stop him. He had to be an embarrassment to walk around with. He was nothing like his stout sturdy father or that lady killer of an older brother of his. He never had that beautiful baby face that Joe seemed to be born with. He could already tell that boy is going to grow up into a fine young man. A lady killer himself. So why was he so ugly? It sure wasn't his mama. He's seen her picture and she's the most beautiful fair haired woman he's ever seen in his whole life. So why was he so ugly? It's got to be cause he's fat. His family has always been so passive over his gluttony. Never really telling him how they truly felt. No, they let the kids at school tell him that instead. He decided right then that he was tired of being fat and ugly. If he was ever going to be considered normal, it wasn't anybody else's job to change him. He was going to have to do this on his own.

"Numba 2 son, no like woast poak?" He pushed the meat around on his plate.

"I'm not very hungry." Both Hopsing as well as Ben were intrigued to hear him say this.

"Is boy sick?" The young servant reached a palm out towards the boy's forehead. "Puhaps comin down with somthin'" The teen pulls away.

"I'm not sick!" He snapped drawing everyone's attention. "I'm just not very hungry, is all." He said in a lower more controlled tone. Ben was concerned by the way the teen snapped at Hopsing. It was an extreme reaction to the mild-natured cook. Unusual behavior for him but didn't correct him. If there was something going on with the boy Ben thought it best to address it in private. The teen excused himself, saying he was tired and went off to his room. When Ben found him that night after supper, his son was unconscious. His eyes were shut in heavy slumber. His eyes though were read and swollen. Maybe he really was sick. The boy typically mild-tempered could have just lashed out because he wasn't feeling well. Not wishing to disturb his sleep he thought his little talk could wait until morning.

~.~

Ben sat at the table sipping on freshly brewed coffee. The hot breakfast before him. Little Joe washing up and readying himself for the day. "Hoss, don't you want to eat?" He barely got out as Hoss came from his room and plummeted for the door.

"I better be going Pa."

Ben was hoping to speak with him about his shortness with Hopsing on the night prior, but when his boy slept in he found it best to leave it be. Not sure if he was still under the weather. Now he wondered if his hastiness to leave the house and set about the day was any indication he was feeling better.

"You're heading out of here so fast you're forgetting your lunch." Hopsing caught up and placed the brown package in his hand.

"Oh, thanks." He looked down at it. His eyes were still swollen, Ben observed. He went for the door avoiding their gaze.

~.~

If there was doubt before, he got his answer that evening when Hoss came home from school and bypassed supper all together and went straight away to his room. Somehow the talk he wanted to have didn't seem as important anymore as Hopsing had all but forgotten and their concern for the boy's well-being took priority.

For three days the boy missed supper and slept in through breakfast and each day tried to walk away without lunch. The idea of staying home until he felt better didn't come up. His son never asked. If he had, Ben probably would have given in, but his son was strong and wanted to push through it. He had to respect him for that. Hopefully it was nothing more than a stomach bug and wouldn't turn into anything more serious than that. He'd have to watch his son for any more signs.

~.~

"Dab burnit Little Joe." He overheard Hoss from his room. "Your dolls right there in the middle of the room."

"You leave my doll alone." Joe ran in to pick it up and squeeze it in his clutches. "Mama gave me this doll."

"Little Joe, I know where you got it from. That don't mean you gotta leave it all over the house."

"What's it to you."

"Tin-horn Lot, I'll tell you what's it to me. You leave it right here in the middle of the floor. I try to step over it and my foot lands right on one of these." He lifted to show the tin soldier between his fingers. "I almost broke my neck tryin' to make it through all this mess."

"Interesting choice of language Hoss." His father interceded. Hoss blushed with embarrassment. "Little Joe, pick up this mess."

~.~

Hoss ached for sustenance. The first day he had without food was difficult. He was feeling the ache right when he woke up from not eating supper the night before. The pangs would come in waves progressively throughout the day. Like an alarm clock that would go off at the times when his body felt like it should be getting food, the times he normally fed himself. He fed it with water only. He checked himself in the looking glass that night and saw no change. He was a bit disappointed. He knew it was ridiculous to think he would see a change. He knew these things took time. It took time to gain this weight, it was going to take time to lose it too, but he was hoping to see something. With as painful as today felt there was a large part of him that was hoping to see some bit of change that would tell him all this was worth it. He tossed and turned that night staving off the temptation to eat.

The second morning his nerves were jumping. His body was screaming to eat. Hopsing again chased him down to give him his lunch. If he was going to stick with his diet he was going to have to dump it just like he did the day before. Not hang around the other kids when they ate their lunch. That part wouldn't be a change. Same as every day. They picked on him just the same. That was okay. He was going to change right before their eyes. Soon enough he would be just like the rest of them. Deserving of just as much respect. He just had to be strong and keep it up. Though today he was feeling pretty weak. Again that night he saw no real change in the looking glass. Maybe his eyes got a bit darker or his skin got whiter. But that's not what he was hoping to see. What mattered was that he was still just as fat. Day 3 was going to be different. He was for sure going to see something on day 3.

He was weak. Weaker than he'd been the previous mornings. His body felt heavy. A different kind of heavy. Not heavy like fat heavy. Heavy like he had no energy to support his own weight. Like his muscles were deteriorating beneath his skin. Riding to school he was barely able to remain upright on his horse. He was tired more than anything. Though he'd been getting plenty of rest, as he had been going to bed right around the time everybody else was eating. He had difficulty staying awake in class and chose his lunch period to sleep against the shade of the sycamore. The only thing that had kept him from falling asleep in class was Kyle keeping him honest. He did that with his incessant pinching. Every time he would start to relax and drift off another pinch came, snapping him back. The weakness he felt was substantially worse than the first two days. One good thing was different though, he wasn't as hungry as he had been in the days prior, which was strange to him, but he was grateful he didn't have those pains to deal with. At least not as often and not as severe. It was as if his body was giving up telling him he needed food. Like it was finally figuring out he wasn't going to give into it. The pain hadn't left entirely. It though was less frequent and less severe. It came almost like it was asking permission to eat. Humbly begging but accepting when the answer was no.

He did see something different in the looking glass that evening. His skin was drooping down off his face. He checked his belly. It might have been his imagination but he could swear the fat between his pinch was thinner as well. He was doing it. That night all the lack of pain he felt throughout the day came back tenfold. He was tired and weak throughout the day. All he wanted to do was slip into unconsciousness to forget the pain. Now his body refused to allow that. He couldn't shut off his mind. The pain was just too strong. He tossed and turned trying not to give into his weakness, but he found difficulty closing his mind off to the pains in his stomach. Each day he felt weaker than the day before. It was no less than he deserved though. He let himself get this big and now he had to pay for it, in order to be normal again. This is what had to happen. But did this mean he wasn't supposed to eat at all? It was silly now to think of it, but this was exactly what he'd been doing. For days now, he hadn't eaten a thing. Just drank water to fill his belly. Each day he felt progressively weaker than the day before. Even to the point where his mind would fade. As he laid in the dark he thought now how silly it was to think he could go this long without food. It was foolish to not eat anything. He needed something to occupy his belly if he was going to get any sleep.

He snuck out of his room and crossed the dining room into the kitchen. He found some bread in the pantry and tore himself off a piece. Just a little. He chewed on it, little by little, which went against every instinct to devour it. He washed it down with some water. It wasn't quite enough to satisfy himself. Just a little bit more. He doesn't want to ruin his diet. Maybe some meat to go with it. He stripped off some roast beef and laid it on the bread, taking a bite and washing it down with more water. It was good. His hands trembled in reply. He wanted more but he couldn't have it, otherwise he'd have to start this diet all over. His eyes caught site of the powdered donuts that was to be their dessert, only he'd missed out because he didn't have supper. He smelled the sugar and his mouth watered. He was now more aware of the shaking in his arms, like his nerves were doing somersaults beneath his skin. It was almost like his body was telling him he needed the sugar. Hopsing did make it for them. One couldn't ruin the diet too bad. He'd just have to work extra hard.

It was a donut like he'd never tasted before. It wasn't so much like his mouth tasted it and chewed it up, but like his body did. It was absorbing it, relishing in it. When it was gone he knew that wouldn't be enough, he got another and this time got some milk to go with it. His body told him he needed this.

Ben heard the rattling in the kitchen and got up to investigate. There was the plate of donuts in hand with quite a few missing than when they went to bed. Milk and bread and last night's roast beef were on the counter.

"What are you doing?" Hoss lowered his eyes shamefully.

"I was hungry."

"Well of course you were. You haven't eaten supper for three days. I'm glad to see you're finally feeling better." Hoss looked behind him at the messy countertop which displayed his indiscretions. His father still thought he'd been sick. He hated to lie to his father but he couldn't tell him the truth either. Is it really a lie if he came to that conclusion on his own?

"Yeah Pa. I guess I have."

"Why don't I have Hopsing fix you up something? He'll be mighty glad to hear your fever broke."

"No. It's okay. I shouldn't have done this."

"Well, when you're hungry you're hungry. You can't help that."

"I should."

"Hoss you're a growing boy."

"Maybe I don't want to be a growing boy!" His voice was teeming with emotion.

He pushed past his father leaving the evidence of his misdeeds on the counter. Another abnormality. To leave behind a mess for others to clean. Again his father didn't correct him. There was something more going on here. He considered as he began to clean the mess that Hoss had left behind.

~.~

The morning had come too quick. He stared at himself in the looking glass. The flab he felt between his fingers this time, was just as fat as it had been three days ago. His weakness caused the last three days to be all for nothing. Should he try again? He scolded himself. He was just too weak. He'd never be able to do it right. Maybe instead of looking for quick results he should settle himself down and be ready for the long haul. Eat every day, but eat less. Maybe not throw all of Hopsings food away. Hopsing put fruit in his lunch bag every day for him, maybe he should eat that.

He went back to eating supper as well, but diminished amounts. Ben and Hopsing stopped thinking he was sick. He tried to eat just enough to keep them from worrying about him. But worry they did. The boy was different. They weren't blind to the fact that he was eating less. Nor that he was quieter. Withdrawn. Every bite he gave into would only make this thing drag out longer than it had to. Good ol' Kyle would be there to keep him honest. To remind him just how worthless he was in words and deeds. Let's not forget Travis, his loyal sidekick.

Weeks went by with this new routine. The change he thought he was seeing a few weeks ago weren't really there. Nothing was changing, he desponded as he stared at himself. He was just as fat as he'd been then. He wondered now how he could have ever allowed himself to believe he was turning handsome.

"Haven't you ever learned to knock?" He said as his baby brother sauntered in.

"This is my room too." Joe adduced, but stopped at the sight of Hoss'e stomach. Hoss looked down at what he was looking at. He picked up his shirt and shoved his arms into the sleeves.

"How'd you get those?"

"What do you want?" He avoided the question.

"I just wanted to play."

"I can't play with you right now?"

"Why? Are you to busy checking yourself out in the glass, you Big Galoot."

"Get out of here you little imp!" He snapped hostilely. Joe was taken back. Hurt by the way his brother was treating him. He didn't leave though. He's been in such a sour mood lately. He thought there's got to be some way to get Hoss to lighten up. As he considered his options he caught site of the remainder of Hoss's clothes on the vanity. Hoss saw the mischievousness in his eyes and knew what was on his mind. He almost dared him to do it. Little Joe grabbed for the clothes and made to take off with them. This time Hoss was quick enough. He yanked them from his brother and shoved Little Joe so hard he went head first into the frame of the door across the room. The tot balled up holding his head and shrieked. The shrill of which hit Hoss in his core. His guilt was instantaneous. He was sorry for what he had done. He wished he could make it go away. Undo what he did. He didn't want that to happen. He didn't mean to shove him so hard. No amount of hugging and apologizing was going to make the hurt he caused go away. If he knew Little Joe, he wouldn't want Hoss anywhere near him right now. He was going to want their pa, which at the sound of his son's cry would be coming into the house at any moment. He stood in the middle of the room waiting. He was going to have to explain himself, which at this point there really was no explanation. He looked down at his bare chest. Pa was going to see the bruises. He hurriedly got to buttoning up the remainder of his shirt as his father came through the front door.

The shrill of little Joe's scream was as if he had cut off a finger. Knowing Joe, he couldn't put it past the boy. Ben threw down the mallet and wagon wheel he'd been working on and bolted into the house. The cries came not from the kitchen. Joe was on the floor halfway out of his room balled up holding his head. It was curious he was the first to reach him. He could have sworn Hoss was inside. When he bent low to his boy, he was surprised to see Hoss was in the very room Joe was crying from. He wasn't tending to his brother. He was doing nothing more than standing in the middle of the room dressing himself. Ben draws Joseph off the floor and into his arms.

"What happened?" He demanded. Doesn't Hoss care that his little brother is hurt? He pretty much figured by his inaction it was something he'd caused. Otherwise Hoss would be by Joe's side lifting him into his arms. Even if he did cause it accidentally, he'd still be holding his brother trying to make him feel better. This was something he did. Intentionally. What strange behavior for him to not react to his brothers tears. He's dressing himself, carrying on as if nothing at all has happened. "Hoss, I need you to answer me." It took everything within him to keep his tone even. "What happened?" He demanded.

"He tried to take my clothes again. I accidentally shoved him a little too hard." What has gotten into his boy?