A NIGHTMARE FOR LITTLE
JOE part two
By: Lynne G.
Adam walked
back into the classroom and he was very upset. "
Wayne, Tom, Geoff, just why were you fighting with Little Joe?"
asked Adam. " Because we wanted too-that's
why!" said
Little Joe rode fast to his mother's grave. He got off Bear, and slowly walked over to the grave. He laid down next to the grave and he cried. " Mama, why do those big boys tease me like this? Adam has been so mad at me since he's been teachin'. He spanks me almost every night. I didn't do anything wrong. Mama please help me." The boy cried his heart out, and he was in a lot of pain from the beatings he had taken.
After
class, Adam kept Tom, Wayne,and
Geoff in class. " I am very disappointed in
you three. Can you please tell me why you keep disrupting class and
picking on the younger children?" asked Adam. "
We told you why. How come you don't punish that kid brother of
yours? It's just as much his fault as it is ours," said
When Adam rode into the yard he saw Hoss coming out of the barn. " Hi Adam. How was your day? Where is Little Joe?" asked Hoss. " Hi Hoss. It was an awful day. You mean that little brat isn't home yet?" said a very tired Adam. " Nope, ain't seem him since this morning. What's he done now?" asked Hoss. " When I get my hands on that boy, he won't be able to sit down for a month," Adam angrily told Hoss. " Come on Adam, what did he do?" asked Hoss again. " I'll tell you what he did. He's been fighting, disrrupting class, and not doing his work. I just don't know what to do with that boy anymore. He's been nothing but trouble since I started teaching, and today, he just left school during lunch," Adam said to Hoss. " Adam, did you ask him what was bothering him?" asked Hoss. " NO I didn't feel like it," said Adam. " Would you like me to go and look for him?" asked Hoss. "Yes Hoss, could you please, but you better wear your rain slicker since it's starting to rain," said Adam. After Hoss put his rain slicker on, he headed out to look for his little brother.
The cold pouring rain woke up Little Joe, who had cried himself to sleep on his mama's grave. He just sat there with his head resting on the grave stone. He was emotionally exhausted and still in a lot of pain.
Hoss rode for about two hours looking for his little brother in all the boy's favorite places, but he wasn't at any of them. He hadn't gone to Marie's grave yet, but that was his next stop. The rain continued to pour down, and now a strong wind had started to blow. " Boy, Chubb, it's nasty out here. Where is that little brother anyway? Come on boy let's keep lookin," Hoss said to Chubb.
Little Joe was still sitting by his mama's grave. He was soaking wet and shivering badly.
As Hoss rode up to Marie's grave, he gave a sigh of relief when he saw his little brother sitting there, but he was also worried at the sight of the boy who was resting his head on the grave stone.
Hoss got off Chubb and walked over to his little brother, and he laid his hand on the boy's shoulder, and he said," Short Shanks, where have you been boy?" Little Joe looked up at Hoss with red and swelled eyes from crying. Little Joe told Hoss that he had been here at the grave all the time. Hoss pulled up the shivering child and put his arms around . " Oh, Little Joe yer freezin' boy," Hoss said softly and concerned. He picked the boy up and carried him over to Chubb and put him in the saddle. He got Bear's reins and tied them to his saddle horn, and then he climed up behind his brother. He knew he had to get the boy home fast and warmed up.
" H..Hoss, is Adam mad at me?" asked the shivering and scared boy. " Yes he is punkin. Why are you giving him such a bad time for anyway?" asked Hoss. " I can't tell ya Hoss. I really want to, but I just can't right now," said Little Joe as he started to cry again. Hoss's heart was breaking for this little boy.
When they got home, Hoss told Little Joe to go into the house and get out of his wet clothes, while he took care of the horses.
" WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" yelled Adam. " What do you care for anyway Adam," cried Little Joe. " DON'T YOU TALK TO ME LIKE THAT LITTLE BOY !" yelled Adam again. Adam was extremely mad by now. " DON'T YOU CALL ME THAT !" Little Joe yelled as he stood there shivering badly. Adam grabbed him and pulled him up the stairs to his room. This rough treatment was causing even more pain for Little Joe.
" GET OUT OF THOSE WET CLOTHES RIGHT NOW !" screamed Adam. Little Joe started to take his clothes off as Adam returned with some towels. Then he started to yell at the boy again.
Adam got out a clean nightshirt for the boy and he threw it at him. After Little Joe had put his nightshirt on, Adam grabbed him and threw him over his knees and he began to tan the boy with his belt, very hard over and over. " Stop it Adam. Please stop, it hurts. Stop, please stop," cried Little Joe. After two dozen very hard swats, Adam stopped and he pulled the trembling, crying child up to a standing position. " I'm so disappointed in you Little Joe. You have really been an embarrassment to me these last two weeks. I am very glad that tomorrow is my last day of teaching. You are restricted to the house, except for your chore and school. Do you understand me boy?" Adam yelled, " and look at me when I'm talking to you!" " Y...Y...Yes s...sir," said the crying and trembling boy softly. " Now get into that bed and stay there!" Adam yelled at him. The boy crawled into his bed and laid on his stomach, and he was crying very hard. Adam walked over to the door without stopping to look at the child, and he slammed the door shut.
As Adam came down the stairs, Hoss walked into the house. " Boy it is nasty out there. Where's little brother?" asked Hoss as he was looking for the boy. " He's in his room. That boy won't be able to sit down for a long time, " Adam said angrily. " Adam, ya didn't tan the boy did ya?" asked a concerned Hoss. " I sure did. He more than deserved it Hoss. Tell me, where did you find him?" asked Adam. " He was at his mama's grave, and he said he had been there since he left school at lunchtime," Hoss told Adam. " Did he tell you why he had been fighting?" asked Hoss. " NO he didn't, and I didn't ask him either. I'm just so tired of his lame excusses Hoss," said Adam as he sat down. " How bout if'n I go and talk to him for a while?" asked Hoss. " NO Hoss, just leave him alone," said Adam. " Come on Adam, he's jest a little boy, and there is somethin' really botherin' him. I can tell. Please let me go and talk to him?" begged Hoss. " Hoss, I said NO, and I mean it too. Just leave him alone," Adam said angrily.
Dinner ready," announced Hop Sing. " Thanks Hop Sing," said Adam. " Where Little Joe?" asked Hop Sing. " He's in his room, and he's going to stay there too," Adam said. " I go take little boy some dinner," said Hop Sing. " NO Hop Sing, he won't be having dinner tonight," said Adam to Hop Sing. " Little boy need to eat, he get sick if not eat," said a very concerned Hop Sing. " NO Hop Sing, " Adam said again.
" Ah, come on now Adam, little brother needs to eat and you know it, just like Hop Sing said. Look, he didn't eat breakfast this mornin'. Did he eat lunch today ?" asked Hoss. " No, he didn't," said Adam. " Adam, that boy has hardly eaten anything the last two weeks," said a very worried Hoss. " Well that's not my fault, now is it?" asked Adam. " It just could be Adam," said Hoss. Adam just stared at Hoss.
Later that evening, Adam told Hoss he could go up and see Little Joe if he wanted. Hoss got right up from his chair and headed up to his baby brothers room. When he got the boys door, he knocked on the door. Not getting any response, he opened the door and walked into the room, and he lit the lamp. He looked down at the tear streaked face of his little brother, and his heart broke. Hoss sat down on the edge of the bed and he said " punkin- can you hear me little brother?" He also was gently rubbing the child's back.
Little Joe slowly opened his eyes, and looked up at Hoss, and he started to cry. " Oh Hoss," he said softly. " It's OK punkin. Please tell me what's wrong baby, please?" Hoss asked him softly. Hoss gently picked up his little brother and held him. He could feel the child trembling. He kissed the boys curly head, and again asked him to please tell him what was wrong. Little Joe felt so safe and loved in Hoss's arms.
" Oh Hoss, Adam hates me so much," cried the boy. " No no no, Joey, he doesn't hate ya boy," Hoss told him. " Yes, he does Hoss. He's so mad at me. I don't want him to be my teacher, cos all the other kids are making fun of me. They call me "TEACHER'S PET " all the time. They tell me that Adam doesn't punish me. They fight with me. They push me down, and they throw things at me. I just can't take it anymore Hoss. Adam thinks it's all my fault, but it isn't my fault at all," cried the boy. He was now crying so hard that he was having trouble breathing. " Shh, it's alright baby. I'll go and have a talk with big brother. Are you hungry punkin?" asked Hoss who was in tears now too. Hoss felt so bad for the heart broken little boy on his lap, and what he was going through. " No Hoss, my tummy hurts too much to eat," said Little Joe in between sobs. " Are you hurting from the fight too?" asked Hoss. " Yes, my chest and sides hurt too," said the teary eyed boy. " Let me take a look at," Hoss said as he gently laid his brother down on the bed.
Hoss was shocked at all the bruises on his little brothers body. He felt the boys chest and sides. "Oww," cried the child. " Sorry punkin, but I think you have some broken or cracked ribs here. Does Adam know you hurt like this?" asked Hoss. " No, he don't care. He tanned me so hard with his belt. I begged him to stop cos it hurt so bad, but he wouldn't stop, Hoss," said the boy, who had started to cry again. Hoss was now very upset at Adam. " Punkin, you lay still and get some rest. I'll get Dr. Martin to come out here to have a look at you. He can give you somethin' for the pain too. Everything will be alright little brother, I'll see to it. You get some sleep now. I love you Little Joe," said Hoss. " I love you too Hoss," said the boy softly. Hoss headed down the stairs.
" ADAM!" yelled Hoss as he come down the stairs. " What do you want Hoss?" asked Adam. " Did you know that Little Joe is hurt from that fight today? I think he has some broken or cracked ribs, and he is in a lot of pain," Hoss told Adam. Adam looked at Hoss and said, " No, I didn't Hoss, and I wasn't very gentle with him either when I tanned him. Hoss, please ask Charlie or Hank to go and get Dr.Martin," said Adam. " OK, but I really need to talk to ya when I get back, cos Little Joe told me why he's been actin' the way he has been the last two weeks." said Hoss. " Alright Hoss," Adam quietly said. Adam was now starting to feel guilty at how he had been treating his little brother.
" Adam, Hank has gone to get Dr. Martin, said Hoss as he sat down. Now, here is what Little Joe told me Adam." As Hoss told Adam everything that Little Joe had told him, Adam felt like he had been slapped across the face. " OH, MY GOD, that poor kid. Why didn't he tell me about what was going on? I feel so bad for the way I have been treating him these last couple of weeks, and now tonight the way I handled him, and the awful things I said to him. How could I ever hurt him like this Hoss? I better go up and talk to him," said Adam sadly with tears in his eyes now. " Adam, he's really hurtin' bad, and not only from his ribs or the tanning, if'n ya know what I'm saying," said Hoss. " I know Hoss, I know," Adam said as he go up and headed for his little brothers room.
When he reached his brothers room, he softly knocked, and walked in. He moved a chair next to the bed and his sleeping brother, and he sat down. He felt so bad for what he had done to his baby brother, and he hoped the boy would forgive him.
" Little Joe, little buddy-are you awake?" asked Adam as he was rubbing the child's back. " Little Joe, baby, please wake up sweetheart," begged Adam. Little Joe slowly opened his eyes to see Adam looking down at him. Adam then saw just how sad the child looked. " Little buddy, Hoss told me about what you told him. Oh, Little Joe, I had no idea you were being treated that way. I am so very sorry. If I would have known that this would happen, then I never would have taken over for Miss Jones. I hope you will forgive me. Please, Little Joe, say something to me," begged Adam softly.
Little Joe just laid there with tears filling up his eyes. " Adam, why didn't ya let me tell ya what they were doin' to me? I thought you hated me. I was trying to be so good for ya too," Little Joe very softly said to Adam. " Oh baby, I love you more than you can ever know," said Adam with tears in his eyes now too. He got up from the chair, and he slowly and very gently picked up his crying little brother in his arms and held him while he sat down on the bed. Little Joe laid his head against Adam's chest and he just cried. Adam kissed the boy's curly head, and slowly rubbed the boys back. "Shh, it's alright now little buddy. I love you so much precious." Adam could feel the boys body trembling. " As soon as Paul gets here, he will give you something to make the pain go away. Really, baby, it's alright. You are going to be just fine. I love you so much Little Joe. Are you hungry sweetheart?" asked Adam. " Just a little, but my tummy is upset," the boy said quietly.
No sooner had Little Joe said that, when Hoss came into the room with a tray, that had a bowl of chicken broth, and a glass of milk on it. " Hoss, how did you know that we needed some broth in here?" asked Adam. " I jest guessed little brother might like some. Why don't ya keep holding him, and I'll feed him this here broth," said Hoss. " OK- little brother, open up yer mouth now," said Hoss with a big smile on his face. Little Joe ate all the broth and drank his milk. He was getting really sleepy, when Adam said, " little buddy, I'm going to lay you back down on the bed and have a look at your ribs," Adam told the boy. " OK, Adam," said the boy. Adam lifted up his little brothers nightshirt and he too was shocked at all the bruising on the childs body. He very gently felt the childs ribs, as Little Joe held his breath, and he said " Oww." " Sorry little brother," said Adam.
" Hi boy's", said Dr. Paul Martin as he walked into the room. " Hi Dr. Martin" they said. " Well, Little Joe, what did you do now?" asked Paul, as he looked down at the small boy on the bed, who was pale and very tired looking, with tears in his eyes. " He was in a fight at school, that wasn't his fault Paul," said Adam. " Well, lets have a look at you now son," said Paul. He gave the child a good look over. " Well, he has some cracked ribs-maybe 2 or 3. I'm going to get you to sit up son, and get your chest taped up. Hoss can you hold him still for me? Hoss nodded. Ok, Little Joe, can you hold up your arms for me and stay as still as possible?" asked Paul. The boy nodded. " Good boy. Now I'm going to give you something for the pain. Here you go, now drink it all up for me," said Paul. Little Joe drank the medicine and he made a funny face from the awful taste. " Good boy. Now, I want you to say in bed for a week, and no moving around. You just rest, and you also need to eat. I'll be out tomorrow to see you again," Paul told him." I'll stay with him Adam," said Hoss.
Once down stairs, Adam thanked Paul for coming out, and asked him if he would like some coffee. " That sounds good Adam, Thank you," said Paul. " Paul, tell me, how is Little Joe?" asked Adam. " Well Adam, he's in some pain, and he does have a slight fever, but most importantly, that boy needs to eat. He is emotionally exhausted as well," Paul told Adam. Adam told Paul what has been going on with his little brother. " That poor little boy. Don't worry Adam, Little Joe will be just fine in a few weeks. I'm sure he will forgive you too," said Paul. " He already has Paul. I'm also worried because he was out in that heavy rain for several hours,and he was shivering badly," Adam said to Paul. " Just watch him. It wouldn't surprise me if he does come down with a bad cold. With not eating, being over chilled, and being run down, and also being exposed to the cold germ, a cold should be expected. Well I better get back to town. If you need me out here before tomorrow, just send someone to get me," said Paul. " Thank you Paul," said Adam.
Adam went back up to Little Joe's room. " How's he doing Hoss?" asked Adam. " He's sound to sleep," said Hoss. " Why don't you get some sleep too Hoss, and I'll sit here with him for a while," said Adam. " Good night Adam," said Hoss. " Good night, and thank you Hoss," said Adam. Hoss smiled at him and headed off to his room for the night.
Next morning at breakfast Adam asked Hoss to stay home and take care of Little Joe, as he got ready to leave for his last day of teaching. " I'd be happy to Adam. Don't worry about little brother. Hop Sing and me will take good care of him," said Hoss with a big grin on his face.
After school that day, Adam had his meeting with the parents of Wayne, Tom and Geoff. He told them that their sons where purposely teasing Little Joe, because he was the teachers little brother, and at how badly the little boy was beaten up. The parents were very upset at what their sons had done. They all told Adam that their sons would be severely punished and they also told Adam that they felt awful for what had happened to Little Joe.
After the meeting with the boys parents, Adam headed over to see Miss Jones and tell her about the last two weeks. She told him that Wayne, Tom, and Geoff were nothing but trouble makers, and they were always into trouble. She felt really bad about what had happened to Little Joe.
Little Joe was kept out of school for three weeks, so he could fully recover from his injuries and the bad cold he came down with.
" Pa, yer home," yelled Hoss as he came out of the house. " Hi Hoss. I just now got home. Where is everyone?" asked Ben. "Well, Adam took Little Joe to see Dr. Martin to see if he can go back to school," said Hoss. Ben suddenly went very pale. " What Hoss? What's wrong with Little Joe?" asked a very concerned Ben. " Pa, why don't you come in the house, have some coffee and I'll tell about everything that has gone on around here while you were gone. It's a long story," said Hoss. While they had some coffee, Hoss told Ben the long story about everything.
" Oh, good grief Hoss. Poor Little Joe! How does he seem to be doing?" questioned Ben. " He's doin' OK Pa, but he is having a hard time gettin' rid of that awful cough, and he is still sorta tired," said Hoss.
About two hours
later, Adam and Little Joe rode up. As they came into the house, they saw
Ben. " Pa" yelled Little Joe as he ran
over to Ben. Ben picked him up and gave him a big kiss, and hug. " Hi sweetheart, and how are you feeling?" asked Ben. " I'm almost
better Pa", said the boy. " Hi
Adam," said Ben. " Hi to you too,
" Dinner ready now," said Hop Sing. " Oh boy, I'm starvin', said Hoss. " Your always starving Hoss," laughed Adam.
THE END