Adam knelt by his brother's bed, Joe's hand clasped in his. It had been a long day and night. Joe hadn't recovered consciousness since Clem and Roy had brought him home. Paul had come out that evening and talked with them. "He's lost a lot of blood," Paul told Ben, "and he wasn't in good health, anyway. Stay close, Ben, you and Adam both."
Julia had persuaded Ben to lie down on the settee for a few minutes, and the old man, exhausted, had drifted off to sleep, in spite of himself. She covered him with an old Indian blanket and sat in Marie's rocker, reading her Bible and praying for Joe's recovery. Every now and again she heard the soft murmur of her husband's voice coming from Joe's room, and she knew he was praying for his brother.
"O merciful Father, who has taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of your servant, Joe, for whom our prayers are offered. Remember him, O Lord, in mercy, nourish his soul with patience, comfort him with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon him, and give him peace," Adam's voice broke as he spoke the words of the familiar prayer, and he buried his face in the bed covers. I've lost Hoss, he thought, I can't lose you.
He heard Joe take a deep breath and let it out. Afraid that it was his last one, Adam watched as Joe took another breath. "Come on, boy, wake up. It's time to wake up. You've slept long enough now," Adam encouraged him. It did no good. Joe's eyes remained shut.
...
Joe was walking along the lakeshore, and he could see Hoss in the distance. His brother was asleep, his hat tilted over his face, and his fishing line tied to his big toe, ready for a bite. Joe decided to sneak up on him and tiptoed towards him. Just as he was ready to jump, Hoss surprised him with a loud "HAH! Gotcha!" He moved with a swiftness surprising in so large a man, and caught Joe up in a bear hug, swinging him around and around as he had when Joe was a youngster. "How are you, punkin?" he asked when he finally stopped and set Joe down.
"Hoss, I've missed you!"
Hoss pulled him close. "Joe, I'm with you. I haven't gone anywhere...I'm right here with you."
They sat on the lakeshore and Hoss listened as Joe told him all that had happened. Hoss listened, nodding occasionally, but he didn't interrupt Joe with a question or comment until the end. He looked past Joe and smiled. "Look who's coming here."
Joe turned around to see two women walking towards them. Joe stood and stared as his wife and his mother approached. "Alice? Maman?"
"Joe."
"Mon petit chou."
Marie gave him a brief hug and kissed his cheek. She moved away and Alice took her place. As they kissed, Joe felt his anger and despair melt away. For the first time in years, he relaxed and, when they broke apart, he led her over to where Hoss and Marie sat. They sat and talked, enjoying their time together.
It seemed to Joe that the day was passing too quickly. They watched the sun as it crossed the sky towards the distant mountains. "Don't leave me."
"We cannot stay, mon petit," Marie told him.
Joe bit his lip. "I want to go with you."
Hoss shook his head. "You can't, Joe. It isn't your time. You have things to do right here on the Ponderosa. Besides, how would Pa and Adam feel if you left them? They need you, Joe, they need you bad. And how about Adam's little boy, Eric?" Hoss laughed. "That little fellow's got as much talent for trouble as you ever had, little brother. He needs you to keep an eye on him."
"He's got his father and mother," Joe pointed out.
"And you had Pa and Adam and me and Hop Sing, and we still couldn't keep you out of trouble," Hoss reminded him.
"Hop Sing left, Hoss," Joe told him. "He couldn't stand the Ponderosa without you."
"I know, Joe, but he's coming back."
Joe looked up at Hoss, wondering how he knew. Hoss just grinned. "He missed his family, Joe. He traveled all the way to China to find out that his real family, his real home, was on the Ponderosa. He needs you, Joe. He's in San Francisco now."
"I don't care," Joe answered. "I can't lose you all again."
Hoss shook his head sadly. "Joe, it ain't all about you. You stop moping around our graves. We're not there. We're near you, Joe, always. You don't even have to speak our names - just think of us and we're there. You go on back now."
And as Joe watched, they faded from sight. He called out to them, but they were gone and he was alone.
...
"Hoss! Alice! Come back!" Joe cried out.
Adam caught at his flailing hands. "Joe, Joe, wake up, buddy."
Joe's eyes opened, and he looked up at Adam, catching hold of his arms. "Hoss!"
"No, Joe, it's me, Adam." He bent over Joe, pulling him close, and rocking him a little against his shoulder, soothing him. "It's all right, Joe. I'm here, and everything's going to be all right."
After a few minutes Joe's breathing slowed, and Adam laid him down. Joe's eyes were open, and he reached up to touch his older brother's face. "You're here," he said.
"I'm here."
Joe looked around. "Is Pa here?"
"He's here. He's lying down, but I'll get him."
Joe shook his head. "Let him rest. He looks exhausted."
So do you, Adam thought, but he didn't voice his opinion.
Joe sighed, and closed his eyes. He shifted a little, and Adam watched him go into a natural sleep.