In the lobby Adam was greeted by a young oriental in servants clothing. He seemed panicked. "What is it, Hey Boy?" Adam asked.
Hey Boy pointed to the fancy dining room. Then he led and Adam followed. In the dining-room an older, distinguished gentleman with a mustache sat at the bar surrounded by women. They seemed to be enchanted by his presence. But something was interrupting this man's evening.
Little Joe was attempting to lure one of the women at his side. "Come on." He coaxed. "You don't want to be with that old coot."
Adam's eyes widened with fear as the man responded. "Young man, the lady wishes you to leave her alone."
"Why don't you let the young lady speak for herself?" Joe was using his confrontation tone.
"I don't want any trouble," The gentleman said. "I just want to have dinner with my companions."
Adam whose feet seemed to have taken root refound his abiltiy to walk and approached the brewing situation. "Joseph, perhaps we should leave this gentleman to his guests."
"Is he with you?" the gentleman inquired.
Adam nodded thinking 'unfortunately'.
The gentleman handed Adam a business card and rose from his seat. " I suggest you instruct this young man in some manners." He escorted the ladies to a table across the room.
"Manners!" Joe began. But looking at the card Adam stopped him by grabbing his brother's arm, saying, "Come with me." and dragging him protesting all the way through the lobby up the stairs and to their room.
Once inside the room he threw Joe to the bed. "Must you try to find trouble everywhere we go?" Adam yelled at him.
"Adam I..."
"You can't just leave well enough alone! Why can't you learn?" Adam unbuckled his belt.
Joe smirked. "What? You gonna tan me? Adam, I'm grown up or have you forgotten?"
Adam slipped his belt through the loops. "No. but you must have. Because what I saw down there was not very grown up." He moved to where Joe was on the bed. "Take your pants down." Adam said evenly.
Joe rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right."
Adam was in no mood. He grabbed Joe by the arm and stood him to look him square in the eye. "Take your pants down or so help me I'll use this across that smart mouth of yours."
Joe relented. "Fine." Let him get it out of his system. He'll give me a couple of licks and we can get on with life. He lowered his slacks and his underwear.
Adam shoved him across the bed and began the attack on his brother's backside. The assault seemed to continue without end or mercy.
Joe had had about enough. His brother was taking this way too seriously. And to top it off it hurt worse than anything their father had ever dished out which was difficult to do. "Adam, come on," Joe protested. "You're really hurting me!"
With that Adam drew back the belt and brought it down with every ounce of force he could muster and said, "This is one whipping you may actually learn from." He brought the belt down as hard as he possibly could again. "Hurting you? Do you have any idea how much it would HURT ME if anything happened to you?" He spun on his heel and threw the belt across the room.
Joe rose from the bed and pulled up his pants. His throbbing backside did not seem so important. "Adam?" He turned his brother to face him.
Adam who now had tears silently sliding down his cheeks said, "When I tell you that I love you it's not just words. It's a feeling deep inside...here." He indicated his heart. And in Stockton when I invited you to kiss me it wasn't because Jarrod and Nick do that. To me it was a covenant like in the Bible in the story of Joseph and his brothers." He paused to reflect. "When I figured out what you'd been trying to do. I remember feeling 'why didn't I think of that?'" Adam shook his head. "Never mind. I doubt you understand."
Joe had tears inching down his face now too. He actually did understand what Adam was saying. Years and years of him doing stupid, daring, and downright dangerous things culminating in this one hopefully final encounter with his brother's belt. All Joe could think to say was. "Did you want to give me a few more licks?"
A slow smile spread across Adam's face. Joe actually got it. Impulsively Adam took Joe in his arms and held tight. He kissed Joe's cheek and received a kiss in return before ending the embrace.
Adam ran his hand over Joe's hair. "Feel like having some dinner?"
Joe nodded. "You bet. Even if I might have to stand up to eat."
The brothers laughed.
"You know I do understand what you're trying to teach me," Joe began. "What I don't get is why that situation downstairs set you off so bad?"
Adam sighed. "It doesn't matter now. As long as you try to watch yourself."
"Okay," Joe agreed still curious but not wanting to press the issue.
But Adam tossed a business card on the dresser before leaving the room with his brother.
"Have Gun Will Travel." read the card. "Wire Paladin San Francisco."
THE END