Drabbling in 2024
This is a collection of two-hundred-word vignettes written for the 2024 Double Drabble Challenges. The challenge prompt was used to title the snippet, and they are grouped by month. Thank you to ElayneA for the prompts. Characters, subjects, and genres are varied. They should be considered appetizers not entrees. I would so appreciate your letting me know which one was your favorite.
~~January~~
To Begin Again
He knew what it would take for Joe to begin again. He knew from experience. The rage would have to burn itself out. It would leave scars upon his soul but eventually fires consume their fuel and die. It would take time for despair to lighten enough for acceptance to begin: acceptance of the loss, acceptance of a future, acceptance that new dreams can grow in ashes. Tendrils of a colder fear wrapped around Ben's heart. Joe had lost not only Alice but the baby. When Elizabeth had die there had been Adam, when Inger was murdered there were two sons who called for him, and when Marie died it had taken the combined need of three sons to pull him back. When Hoss died, Joe and Jamie had needed him more than he needed release, so he had begun again. He would have to show Joe how he and so many others needed Joe to begin again. For now, he could only support his son with his presence. As he stood with Joe in his arms and the acrid smell of burnt wood in his nose, he voiced no assurances or platitudes, and he only used words in silent prayer.
~~February~~
Love Is in the Air and It Smells Like Coffee
Adam stood before the open window. The country inn bordered a meadow that spread before him covered in dew. He drew in a deep breath of English air.
What? It can't be, but... An overwhelming impulse had him going through the large casement window dropping to the ground a foot or two below. I haven't gone out a bedroom window since... well, in decades. He chuckled and inhaled deeply. That's coffee, definitely coffee. Intrigued, he followed the scent and found himself standing before the next open window looking in. Just as he realized the inappropriateness of his position, a figure moved inside, and then a woman stood staring out at him.
"Can I help you, sir?" There was an edge to her voice.
"Um, I just... I smelled the coffee."
She laughed softly. "A fellow American, are you?"
He smiled. "Yes. I... tea just doesn't smell as inviting on the morning air."
"No... no, it doesn't."
"I haven't had a cup of coffee in months."
"I brought a supply and brew my own."
"Oh."
"I could share."
"We could use that bench over there."
They shared the bench, her coffee, and conversation; ate breakfast together; and made plans for dinner.
~~March~~
Who's the Lucky One?
"Did you see her?"
"Yep, getting off the stage."
"I'm asking her to the social tonight."
"Ya ain't even met the gal."
"She's beautiful!"
"That's true. Still, you ain't met her. 'Sides, Pa expects us at his table tonight."
"You and Adam can tell Pa I stayed in town, so he won't worry."
"Ya should be worrying about staying without permission."
"Adam can give me permission."
"Little Joe, the reason you need permission is 'cause ya ain't but sixteen. She was traveling alone, so I'm betting she's older than sixteen."
Little Joe gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "She doesn't know how old I am."
Hoss and Little Joe both turned when they heard a throat clearing.
"Hey, big brother. Um, can I stay in town for the social tonight?"
"No."
"No?"
"No, but you and Hoss can tell Pa that I'm spending the night in town."
"Why?"
"I'm escorting a lady to the social."
"Who?"
"You don't know her; she just arrived in town today."
Hoss laughed, and Little Joe's lip slipped into a pout.
"And if she looks half as pretty in her promised blue gown as she did in pink... "Well, it will be some night."
The Hat I Stole for Love
"It really won't be stealing." Missy's voice was softly wheedling.
"Taking something without asking, people might say is stealing."
"Ain't stealing if they'd let you borrow it."
"If we asked Adam, he would know who pulled the prank." A shiver of dread ran through my body. "That would be near as bad as him knowing I stole his hat."
A small pout formed on Missy's lips. "It has to be a top hat, Joe. Do you know anybody else around here with one?"
"No." I chewed my lower lip.
Missy reached out and took my hand. "Please, Joe, please."
"A Stetson wouldn't do?"
"No, and not Papa's bowler either. Diamond Jack wore a top hat. They always say he wore a top hat." Missy leaned closer. "It'll be the best prank ever when he comes to life. Better than Brother John's last year. 'Sides we'll be giving back the hat."
I knew it would be a great prank, but elder brother could be granite hard. I hesitated.
"Please, Joe, I'll be your girl. I'll let ya kiss me."
Stealing the hat was no problem, the problem was they found Adam's name embroidered inside the headband.
~~April~~
Love Notes
Jo,
U is nice.
Mandy
Little Joe,
My ma sent iced gingerbread in my pail. We can share.
Emmie
Little Joe,
It was nice you letting me ride with you on Paint. I'll bring you a licorice whip tomorrow.
Essie May
Little Joe,
Thank you for stopping Henry Ray from teasing me yesterday. You are the only nice boy in this whole school.
Lissa
Little Joe Cartwright,
I saw my ribbon that I thought was lost in your pocket. Did you find it? Did you keep it because you like me? If you did, you can keep it because I like you.
Betsy
Joe,
I want to go with you to the social like you asked, but my papa says I'm too young to go to socials with boys. I'm not too young to dance only with you though when we both get there.
Saving my dances for you,
Sally
Joe,
Ma says you are a rogue, and Pa says I may not speak to you. You can't ever come to my window again. We have to be like Romeo and Juliet. Meet me at the pond in Bulcher's Woods.
Love and kisses,
Amy
~~May~~
The Three Men I Married
It's not remarkable that I've married three men. I came west because men outnumber women here. I'm not pretty, but I'm not ugly. I'm smart but know when not to show it. I'm a competent housewife and fine cook. Best of all, I can read a man, tell what he wants from a woman.
Albert was a schoolmaster. He wanted refinement. After all, he had a family with a fine name and old money back East. Too bad he had a weak constitution. I was his wife barely a year before I was his widow.
Anton was a prominent banker. He wanted subservience. He was generous, though, with enough money to make his demands go down like sugar makes medicine palatable. Who would have thought such an agile man would die in a fall.
Allen owned a mine in the Comstock, a smaller one but still a bonanza. He wanted a mother for his daughter. Someone to teach her to be a lady. I taught her well, but the poor thing died with her daddy in the fire.
Tomorrow I'll marry again and be Mrs. Cartwright of the Ponderosa. My fourth husband will be happy as long as the rest.
Three Kisses at the May Dance
Adam twirled Katie toward the side door and as the waltz ended slipped her outside.
"Adam! My pa..."
"Is in the clutches of Mrs. Sanders, your brother has eyes only for Elsie, your mama's serving refreshments, and if Sally sees I'll bribe her."
"Your pa?"
"I'll risk it."
"It might'en be worth the risk."
He smiled. "Oh, it shall be." Then he kissed her.
()()()
"I helped my Ma bake it."
"It's mighty fine cake, Suzie, mighty fine."
"Something else is mighty fine. Big, strong and mighty fine." She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "You."
The eleven-year-old's cheeks turned red. "Now, gal, I..."
"Do ya like me?" Hoss nodded. "Will ya kiss me? He did.
()()()
Little Joe darted back into the church social considering what to do about what he had seen. Adam had kissed a girl. He had kissed her right on the mouth for a long time. Little Joe's nose wrinkled. He liked some kisses but kissing a girl; he shook his head. Then he saw Missy Sanders. Missy was his friend. Missy looked pretty tonight. Joe squared his shoulders. He would be big like Adam. Joe walked over and gave Missy her first kiss.
~~June~~
The Right Approach
"There ain't no way Pa's gonna say yes." Hoss's head shook emphasizing the negative.
"You don't know for sure. Just maybe..." Little Joe's pleading eyes switched to Adam.
"He'll say no at first, but..." Adam tugged his left ear. "There may be a way, but it will take all of us and time."
"There's time."
Adam gazed down at his fifteen-year-old brother. "First, your solemn vow, Joseph, if- and that is a large if- you are allowed to come, you shall follow all my orders without argument."
"I vow to obey you without argument."
"Then we ask tonight if Joe can come; Pa says no; and you, Joseph, don't argue, you just get quiet, look hurt, and mope- not sulk but mope, for the next few days."
"No arguing, no sulking, just quiet moping. I can do that."
"Hoss, point out to Pa, how Joe's not being childish, how he's hurting over being left behind, things like that. Bit by bit."
Hoss nodded. "Done it a million times. And you?"
"I let him know I think it's a matter of not trusting me with his baby. So, we're agreed?"
Three weeks later, all three Cartwright brothers arrived in San Francisco.
Encounter on a Train
The wheels of the train clickity-clacked along the rails. The Cartwrights had ceased watching the miles pass. Adam was reading a newspaper; Joe was reading one of his penny-dreadfuls; while Hoss was studying their fellow passengers: a lone man who sat in the back corner and a girl traveling with two men. To Hoss there was something strange about the interactions between the men and the girl. Perhaps that is why he reacted as he did.
The train stopped. The men and girl rose. As they passed the Cartwrights, the girl flung herself into Hoss's lap, wrapping her arms around him.
"Don't let them take me! Please don't!"
One of the men grabbed her arm. Hoss felt her trembling. "Adam, she's plum terrified."
Adam had risen. "Let her go." He pried the man's hand from the girl's arm.
His partner stepped forward, but Little Joe had drawn his pistol. Its click stopped the man's advance.
"I'm her guardian. She..."
"He's not!" Hoss's hold tightened.
The man in the corner spoke. "Actually, he is not." He presented his credentials. "Martain Blake, Pinkerton agent."
Later, with two men in jail and the girl safely being returned home, the Cartwrights resumed their journey.
~~July~~
Dating Again
Emma, watched her father-in-law, Joe Cartwright, walk down the stairs. Recently, she had begun to worry about falls, but she observed no falter in his steps. She watched him place his Stetson on his full head of gray curls before she called out.
"Oh my, you're looking dapper!" He turned and walked toward her smiling. "Is that so?"
"Yes. You're headed into town?"
He saw concern flicker in her eyes. "Hop Bo is driving me. Don't worry if I'm quite late." His eyes teased.
"Are you going to tell me with whom you're dining?"
"No, darling, I'm not." His eyes sparkled. "You may be the bee's knees, my dear, but you have the curiosity of a kitten." He bowed to her and departed.
()()()
"Pa's dining in town?"
"Evidently and warned me he shall be quite late." Her finger tapped her chin. "He had on a new suit. He still cuts quite the figure, you know." She chuckled. "It's a great comfort to me really. Everyone says you're so like him."
"Cartwrights are blessed with longevity. Grandpa Ben lived to be ninety-five. So, what do you surmise is going on?"
"That the most eligible bachelor in Nevada is dating again."
I love You Anyway
Version 1: Adam
"I can't." She shook her curls and turned her back to him.
"You can." His voice was totally assured and slightly commanding. He had been giving orders to grown men since he was seventeen.
"There's my father to consider."
"With over a thousand acres at our disposal, we can build a house with room for your father."
"You don't even like Papa."
Adam shrugged dismissively. "You love him, and I love you, so he may live in our home, our very large home. Perhaps he will mellow in his old age. Being a grandfather brings out the best in some men." His voice now held a teasing tone.
"I'm a terrible housekeeper, and I can't cook."
"Hop Sing has dozens of cousins who have mastered those skills. We'll hire one of them to cook and clean, more than one if need be." He closed the distance between them. Reaching out, he turned her to face him. "I want you for my wife not my housekeeper."
"I am neither accomplished nor educated."
"I'm a better judge of that than you or society." His tone dismissed her concern.
"You can't just..."
"Yes, I can because no matter what, I love you anyway."
Version 2: Little Joe
"It's impossible." Her voice was mater-of-fact, though tinged with melancholy.
"Nothing is impossible!" His eyes sparkled with confidence as he drew her into his arms.
Her hands came up to rest on his chest, a barrier between them. "I am too old for..."
"My love will keep you young, eternally young."
"Your family will never accept me."
"You will be marrying me not my family." He grew serious. "When they see how happy you make me, Pa and my brothers will come around. You'll see. They want me to be happy."
"And if they don't come around?"
"We won't go to dinner every Sunday, just on holidays and birthdays." He drew her closer and looked into her eyes. "They would never be rude to you or act with disrespect."
"No, they wouldn't; I know they wouldn't." Her eyes dropped from his. "I don't do well with being judged for my past even if the judgement is unspoken."
"Pa taught us not to hold a person's past against them. The present is what is important. What you are now is what is important."
"And if some man throws my past into your face, because he's ..."
"I'll still love you anyway."
Version 3: Hoss
"I'm asking ya to be my wife." She was sitting in his lap, her head against his chest.
"It would be so easy to say yes. You're a good man, Hoss. A girl couldn't ask for any better." She tilted her face to his. "But..."
"No buts, little gal. I'll tell Pa and my brothers tonight. We'll make the arrangements and wed Sunday."
Her chin dropped, and she placed her hands on her stomach. "Will ya tell them about the babe? Will they..."
"They'll plum burst with happiness. Pa wants grandbabies more than anything, and Joe's been wanting to be an uncle since he was ten. He and Pa been nudging Adam about it since he came back from college."
"But the baby's not..."
"That don't matter."
"It would to most."
"It don't to me, and I'm the onliest one who will ever know."
"Everybody will know the baby came too soon."
Hoss shrugged. "What folks know and what they're willing to risk saying is some different. Gossip only lasts until the next juicy bit." He tightened his arms around her.
"Still. You'd know I'd been his before I came to you."
"And I love you and the babe anyway."
~~August~~
A Hot Dusty Trail
"I'm hot!"
Adam rolled his eyes at Joe's declaration. "So are we all. As I recall, you begged to come so quit complaining."
"Wasn't complaining, just saying."
"Saying it a thousand times constitutes complaining. Don't say it again."
"That an order?"
"Yes."
"From the trail boss or my bossy brother?"
"Both." Adam shot his brother a look meant to remind Joe who was in charge of him and the drive.
"Back to work, Short Shanks." Hoss shook his head as he hoisted Joe to his feet.
ccccc
Little Joe slapped his hat against his leg and coughed. "I hate this dust!"
"Three hundred cattle stir up a lot of dust."
"And us riding drag eat most of it."
"Newest and youngest hands ride drag. We told you there would be no favoritism."
"Ain't asking for none."
"Joseph. Hear me: August is hot, trails are dusty, the ground makes a hard bed, cows are stupid, the food doesn't meet Hop Sing's standards. We warned you, so if you're regretting coming, it's you own fault. Deal with it."
"I am! Blame Pa if you're mad I came!"
"We can all blame Pa for our misery." Hoss chuckled. "Seeing as how he ain't here!"
A Seaside Visit
Adam turned and faced the ocean gazing at the sea. "I didn't ... Pa never said... I didn't know it was like this. I imagined a churchyard or the like."
Abel studied his grandson, Elizabeth's boy. "Your grandmother's family, well, my mother-in-law said she and the women before her had stood too many hours watching for ships that returned their loved ones to ever rest easy without a view of the harbor and the sea. My Emily did the same. I never could have laid her to rest anywhere but here. Ben agreed that Elizabeth should be with her mother. Emily's folks liked me well enough to welcome me when my time comes."
Adam looked down at his grandfather. He was still surprised each time he realized he was taller than Captain Able Stoddard. His pa had always spoken has if the captain was a towering man. "I'm sure that time shall be far in the future." Adam showed his grandfather his dimples. "In fact, I insist on it."
"Insist, do you, boy?"
"Aye, sir, I do."
Both men turned back toward the graves in the family cemetery.
"Good-bye, my darlings."
"I'll be back, mother."
Return they did, many times.
~~September~~
School Days, Dear Old Golden Rules Days.
"Would you like to explain what this is for?" Adam held the bag out toward Little Joe.
"No need to; you know."
"For whom is the prank intended?"
"Albert Winters."
"Adolph Winter's son."
"Yeah."
"So, the new boy at school."
"It's just a joke. There's always some teasing of the new kid."
"Yes, I know about teasing the new kid." Adam sighed. "You've never been the new boy, Joe. I have more than once."
"The teasing didn't hurt ya none."
"It didn't?"
Joe shifted nervously. "He's... he's just so..."
"Sissified?"
"Not exactly. More citified, and he's from back East."
"Oh, being from the city and one in the East is justification for harassment. He is being harassed?"
"If that means..."
"It means not just left out but repeatedly teased, pranked, and the like."
"I guess."
"You know, and there's something else you know. You've been taught the golden rule, Joseph, at church, at home, and at school. Do you need to repeat it?"
"No."
"But you do need to stop breaking it."
"I... yeah, I do. I will. Have I got a tanning coming?"
"You realize what you need to do and shall do it?"
"I promise."
"Then no."
"No, I don't want to GO BACK to school."
Version 1- Hoss
"Pa?"
"Yes?"
"Can I talk to ya?" Hoss ran his sweating palms down his pants.
Ben motioned for Hoss to sit. Hoss continued standing.
"Well, I..." Hoss swallowed convulsively. "I don't want to go back."
"Back where?"
"To school. I don't want to go back to school." The fourteen-year-old straightened his shoulders. "My mind is settled on it."
Ben Cartwright's eyebrows slid into a v, and his eyes captured his son's. "And if my mind is settled on you going?"
Hoss drew in a deep breath. "Ya know I ain't one to defy ya, Pa; well, ya can order me, and Adam would help ya drag me there, but unless ya tie me down, I won't stay. I won't stay, Pa."
"Are you threatening to run away?"
"No, and I know what would be waiting when I came home each day. Truth is I'll expect to take a tanning each day until..."
"Until?"
"Until ya understand it's better I learn what I need to on the ranch."
Ben studied Hoss's face. There was no challenge, no defiance, just resolve.
There's more than one way to learn. "In the evenings, Adam or I will set you a lesson."
"Thank you, Pa!"
Version 2- Little Joe
"Will I be working with Hoss or Adam tomorrow, Pa?"
"Neither." Ben Cartwright mentally prepared for battle. "The new school term starts tomorrow."
"But... that don't..." Joe realized his father's intention. "No, I'm fourteen!"
"I know your age."
"Fourteen means I'm done with school."
"When you will be finished with your schooling is my decision."
"But you...I..."
"You assumed..."
Little Joe was on his feet. "YOU LET HOSS..."
Ben stood also. "You will not shout at me, boy!"
"No... No, I don't want to go back to school!"
"That does not surprise me. Still, you will."
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!"
Ben took a hold of Joe's arm. "Raise your voice to me again, and I'll not let it pass."
"But it's not!"
"Being fair does not require me to treat each of you exactly the same. You have benefited from that fact often."
"Why?"
"I feel it would be best." You wouldn't accept any reasons I gave.
"You can make me go, but ya can't make me..."
"Can't I?" Ben studied his son's face.
"Ya can't make me learn." The challenge was in Joe's eyes.
"Learning will be your decision; your attendance is mine. Understood?"
"Yes."
Ben sighed; Joe ran out.
Version 3- Jamie
"No, I don't want to go back to school!"
Ben studied the fourteen-year-old before him. "You have your reasons, I presume. Some of them may even be portentous enough to sway me if presented in a well-formulated manner with evidentiary support. I'm ready to listen, though a written elucidation might be more effective."
Jamie's eyes widened. "I... you're just trying... I don't need a mouthful of ten-dollar words."
"No, extensive vocabulary does not make a wise or moral man. There is always the dictionary."
"Right! I don't need more schooling."
"Of course, education is more than vocabulary. There's a math text on that shelf; you could show me your mastery. Then there's science, history, ..."
"You're gonna TRY to make me."
"Since I was granted legal guardianship, I CAN MAKE YOU." Ben breathed deeply and lowered his volume. "I would prefer that you recognize the worth of the opportunity you have regained. Some, even some your age, would envy the chance."
"More would laugh 'cause... Well, 'cause."
"Would it be better to face fools' laughter now rather than later? To do what is needed to wipe away the reason?"
"I'm going back to school, ain't I?"
"Yes, son, you are."
~~October~~
Falling Leaves, Falling in Love
"Whatcha doing out here?"
"Watching the leaves fall?"
"And?"
"What makes you think there's an and?
Hoss raised an eyebrow.
Adam capitulated. "Well, I have been remembering."
"A what or a who?"
Adam smiled. "Mary Margret O'Malley and falling in love."
"Musta been back East."
"My first fall in New England. They sweep the leaves from the stoops there. That's what she was doing when I saw her first, sweeping leaves. There was a big elm tree that hung over her folks' porch."
"A pretty thing, was she?"
"Petite and sassy with hair the color of autumn leaves."
"But a sweet disposition, I suspect."
Adam laughed. "A temper as quick and hot as baby brother's. Thing is, she held a grudge longer than he does."
"How long did it take 'fore you two had a row?"
"We had a row the first time we meet. That didn't stop me courting her. We had the grand battle exactly thirty-four days later."
"Over what?"
"She thought I was flirting with Alice Conner, so she danced with Bart Curnard."
"Were ya flirting?"
"I was being polite."
"So, ya loved her when the leaves were falling."
"And left her when the trees were bare."
Message Received
"Hoss!"
"Hey, Maryjane."
"Maybelle's got a great big batch of them apple fritters ya favor so."
"She does?"
"And a chilled pitcher of buttermilk. She says get yourself up to the house while they're still warm."
"Well, that sure sounds fine, but my pa ..."
"Will be talking to Papa for hours. Now, you just get to the kitchen and if he calls for ya, I'll tell him where you've gone." Maryjane made a shooing motion; Hoss obeyed.
He stepped up to the open kitchen door. "Maybelle?"
Maybelle turned with a smile on her face. "Hoss Cartwright, get yourself to the table. Her eyes swept from his hat to his boots and back again, her smile widening.
Seconds later, Hoss was seated at the McLean table eating apple fritters. "These sure are good! You're one fine cook, Maybelle."
"I made 'em for you."
"Ya did?"
"Folks always say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Ma says actions speak louder than words. Ya know what I mean?"
"Wellll..." Hoss swallowed than grinned. "If you'd be willing to go to the social with me than I do."
"I knew ya would, smart as ya are. Have another fritter."
My Fall Kiss
Little Joe peered around the corner. His eyes searched the schoolyard until a voice made him jump.
"Why ya sneaking around?"
Joe turned to face his friend Mitch. "Ain't sneaking!"
"Looks like sneaking."
"It's not! I'm..."
"Hiding! Who ya hiding from, Joe?"
Little Joe sighed. "Maisey."
Mitch started chuckling. Joe rolled his eyes. "She's after me, Mitch."
Mitch's voice grew high and sing-song. "Maisey loves Joe."
Little Joe snorted. "Just cause Pa would kill me if I weren't polite to a little gal needing crutches. If I told her to go to blazes..." Little Joe shuddered. "And if she set to crying..."
Mitch turned commiserative. "I know. If I made her cry I wouldn't sit for a month."
"Little Joe!" Joe turned as Maisey rounded the corner. He set out at a run. "Little Joe!" Maisey set out after him with an agility and speed that nobody would have expected.
"Joe!" Joe looked back in time to see Maisey fall. He reversed direction and went to his knees beside the girl.
"You alright?"
Maisey smiled, threw her arms around his neck, and delivered a smacking kiss. "I am now!"
Joe pulled away as Mitch informed him, "You've been had."
~~November~~
Two Coins in a Frozen Fountain.
"Adam, come in! It's freezing!"
"So, it is." He swiftly joined her shutting the French door behind him. "I was stretching my legs. I've spent longer out in colder weather."
"My rugged cowboy, gardens are not for winter."
"They have beauty even in winter." She shook her head. He smiled, drew her to him, and kissed her.
"Warmer now?" Her tone was coy.
Well..."
"Someone might come in." She slipped away. "What was beautiful out in that ice?"
"For one, a frozen fountain." He cocked his head. "The ice was clear enough to see two coins at the bottom."
"Oh, they've been there for years."
"I think there is a story in that."
"Yes, a silly but romantic one."
"Tell."
"Two sisters fell in love with cousins from England. Their loves were called home. The girls went to a white witch who requested a coin from each man's pocket. She then charmed the coins. If they stayed the winter in stone and water, the gentlemen would return. The sisters placed the coins in the fountain. In the spring they each married their returned love."
"A happy ending for all." He smiled slipping a coin from his pocket into her hand.
Beautiful Life-Beautiful Death
"Mister!"
He saw a red-headed boy on a horse come to a halt a few yards away.
"What are you doing here? This is private land!"
"The Ponderosa." He rose; he had been kneeling beside the grave. "I saw the headstones..."
"Like I said it's private... for family."
"Family? Then he was a relative?"
"My brother! He was my brother." The boy's voice grew softer as his eyes settled on the grave.
"I see. I meant no intrusion; I assure you. You had only one brother?"
"No. I have another, well, two..." The boy swallowed what he intended to say scowling again.
"The inscription..." He gestured toward the carved words: A beautiful life- A beautiful death.
"Hoss was the best; everybody who knew him... well, Pa said the beauty in a life comes from the love and respect of those who know you."
"And the rest?"
"He died saving others including some kids. There's beauty in that kind of sacrifice."
"Yes, I suppose there is." The boy heard the edge of bitterness in the man's voice and wondered why it was there. "Hoss would have thought so anyway."
"You knew him?"
"He was my brother. I'm Adam. I came home."