THE RIVER

by Janet

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

Story Synopsis: Jarrod and Nick are arguing constantly so Tom takes them on a camping trip to danger.

Prologue

Jarrod Barkley, who had just turned eight in December, and Nick Barkley, who had turned four in March, were playing stick ball using a cloth ball their mother had made for them out of some scraps of cloth she had discarded and a wooden bat, which their father had made out of an old board from one of the stalls in the barn. They were playing in one of the corrals away from where their father and the hands were working.

“Jay,” Nick said getting upset, “you out.”

“No I’m not,” Jarrod replied trying to calm his impulsive brother. “I was safe and you know it.”

“Out,” Nick told him pointing at the rock that was the base.

“Safe,” Jarrod said starting to get angry himself. “And I mean safe.”

“Out,” Nick replied.

Tom Barkley, the boys’ father, was working in another of the corrals and heard the argument. He knew this was quite common for his two sons but he wished they would stop arguing so much of late. It seemed like it happened at least once a day. Sometimes more. Stopping what he was doing, Tom headed to the other corral and his two sons.

“What is going on?” he asked looking down at them. “I could hear you over in the other corral.”

“Jay out,” Nick answered.

“I am not,” Jarrod said. “I was safe and he knows it.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he replied. “That’s all you two do. You argue about everything. Why can’t you get along and be happy?”

“But Jay cheat,” Nick told him.

“I want both of you to go into the house and up to your rooms,” he said pointing toward the house. “This infernal arguing has got to stop.”

“But father,” Jarrod replied, “we were just arguing.”

“I know that,” he told them. “That’s all you do when you are together. I’m tired of it. Now, maybe some time apart will help that.”

“But...” Jarrod started to say.

“What did I say?” he said.

“To go to our rooms,” Jarrod replied realizing it was best if he didn’t anger his father any more.

“Now go,” he told them again.

“Yes sir,” Jarrod said walking away.

“Nick,” he asked, “what are you waiting on?”

“Nothing,” Nick answered heading toward the house.

That evening after supper, Tom and Victoria, his wife, were sitting in the living room of their home. Suddenly, Tom looked up from reading the paper.

“I don’t know what I am going to do with those two,” he said. “Every time they are together, they argue. I don’t understand it.”

“Tom,” she asked also looking up, “what are you talking about?”

“Jarrod and Nick,” he answered. “I broke up another infernal argument today. They can’t even play together without arguing.”

“That’s just the way they are,” she said. “They love to argue and you know that.”

“Well,” he replied, “I’m getting tired of it. I don’t understand why they can’t get along as brothers.”

“They love each other,” she told him. “But they also love to argue. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“That’s a funny way of showing love if you ask me,” he said. “Jim and I didn’t argue much.”

“Not every set of brothers get along as well as you and Jim,” she replied. “Jarrod and Nick are complete opposites. Jarrod thinks before he acts and Nick acts before he thinks.”

“Nick is just like me,” he told her. “He loves the outdoors and the ranch. But Jarrod...”

“And Jarrod is just like me,” she said. “So? Tom, he loves books and would rather spend his time reading than working outside.”

“So,” he replied, “I want them to get along with each other. And another thing, Jarrod hates to get dirty. He’s a boy. He’s supposed to like dirt. Sometimes I wish he wasn’t my son.”

“Tom,” she told him, “fussing about it will not do any good. You’ll have to talk to them. And what do you mean that you wish Jarrod wasn’t your son?”

“I already have talked to them,” he said. “I mean that he is so different from Nick or me. I wish he would be a normal boy. And sometimes I wish he wasn’t my son because he is so different.”

“And?” she asked. “To me he is a normal boy. You just don’t like the fact that he isn’t more like you. Not all our children will act like you. Some will have my characteristics. Sometimes I think you are jealous of your own son. He tries his very best to please you and what do you do? You fuss at him.”

“They didn’t even listen to me,” he answered. “They just continued to argue. It doesn’t have anything to do with you. He’s a boy and boys love to get dirty. I don’t fuss at him all the time.”

“Tom,” she said, “I don’t know what you want me to do. Although I will tell you one thing, Jarrod is your son. He needs your love and understanding. And I’m not going to stand by and let you pick on him.”

“I don’t pick on him,” he replied, “I know he’s different from Nick. It’s just sometimes I wish he was more like me. That’s all. Is there anything wrong with that?”

“What we need is a vacation,” she suggested before she and Tom got into an argument of their own. “No, I can’t help that he takes after me. That’s just the way he is and you have to accept that fact. He can sense that you act differently around him than around Nick. He’s bound to ask why. And what are you going to tell him?”

“All right,” he told her. “Where do you want to go? I really don’t know how to talk to him. He doesn’t seem to want me in his life. He’s just so different.”

“How about Indian Springs near the Sacramento River?” she asked. “Now you know that’s not true. He loves you Tom. But he’s growing up and learning. One thing I know is that if you continue to get angry at him, you may lose him as a son.”

“You mean the place we found after we first arrived in the valley?” he wanted to know. “I didn’t say anything about losing him. I only want him to understand me. I think he thinks I’m evil or something.”

“Yes,” she answered. “It would be a perfect spot to go for a few days. With school out for the summer, Jarrod is free. He doesn’t think you are mean. He just doesn’t understand why you won’t listen to him. You just let what he says go in one ear and out the other. You need to take the time to really listen to him. Maybe you can learn something about your son. He is a very bright boy. All he wants to do is to make you proud of him. But you don’t even pay attention to him unless you are mad.”

“That’s a great idea for the camping trip,” he said. “Maybe those two would stop arguing for a few days. I do pay attention to him. Or at least I try to. I don’t know anymore. I don’t know how to talk to him.”

“I’m sure they will lay off the arguing for a while,” she replied. “We can tell the boys in the morning. Tom, you need this trip as much as they do. You’re so tired when you come in that you barely see them or me.”

“I’m sorry,” he told her. “I guess you’re right. Maybe this trip will be good for all of us. All the business I have to keep track of as well as what goes on here at the ranch. It’s enough to drive a man crazy. And I’ll try to be kinder to Jarrod. Maybe I let too many things weigh on my mind and then take it out on him.”

“I’m sure it will,” she said smiling. “Let’s get some sleep.”

Tom nodded and the two of them headed upstairs to bed. But Tom had a hard time sleeping as he thought about Jarrod. Had he been too hard on the boy? Had he failed to take Jarrod’s feelings into consideration? He wasn’t sure. Tom finally drifted off.

Chapter One

The next morning at breakfast, Tom and Victoria mentioned the trip to Jarrod and Nick.

“Boys,” he said, “your mother and I are planning to go to Indian Springs near the Sacramento River for a few days. Do either one of you want to come along? Not that I’m really asking. We’ve already decided to go.”

“I do,” Nick replied smiling.

“What about you Jarrod?” he asked.

“I guess so,” Jarrod answered.

“Good,” he told them smiling not noticing his son’s face. “We’ll leave in the morning and come back on Saturday. That will give us four days to enjoy the peace and quiet. And I mean peace and quiet.”

“Mother,” Jarrod asked, “can I be excused?”

“Jarrod,” she answered, “that’s may I be excused. And yes you may.”

He rose from the table, heading up to his room. Victoria watched him leave. She was sure something was bothering him. When he was inside and the door closed, he sat down on the bed.

“I don’t want to go,” he said to himself. “I hate to get dirty. All father wants to do is go camping or work here at the ranch. I wish I didn’t belong to this family. It’s not that I don’t love mother and father but father just doesn’t know what I like. All he wants to do is talk about the ranch. I hate this ranch.”

He threw himself on his bed and cried.

Back in the dining room, Tom and Victoria were discussing what they would need to take.

“Let’s see,” he said thinking, “we’ll need a tent, blankets to sleep on, plates, canteens, a change of clothes just in case, and poles to catch fish with along with line to throw into the water. Did I leave anything off?”

“Not that I can think of,” she replied. “Did Jarrod seem quiet to you?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

“There was something about the way he looked after you told him about the camping trip,” she answered. “I have a feeling he doesn’t want to go really.”

“Now that’s ridiculous,” he said looking at her. “No son of mine is going to turn down a chance to go camping for a few days.”

“Tom,” she replied, “he doesn’t enjoy outdoor things. He would rather be reading. I thought you understood last night but I see I was mistaken. You don’t understand at all.”

“Now you listen Victoria,” he told her. “He is a Barkley and he is going camping.”

“I need to do something,” she said rising from the table.

She left the dining room, heading for Jarrod’s bedroom. She realized as she walked upstairs that Tom still didn’t understand his own son. When she was right in front of Jarrod’s bedroom door, she thought she heard crying but wasn't sure until she opened the door. Once she was inside, she saw him crying on his bed.

“Honey,” she said sitting down on the bed, “what’s wrong?”

Jarrod looked up at her. He sat up and hugged her tightly. She held him for several minutes, then let him sit up.

“Nothing can be that bad,” she said.

“I don’t want to go,” he replied. “I won’t have any fun.”

“You mean camping?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered.

“It won’t be that bad,” she said smiling.

“Yes it will,” he replied. “Father will get mad at me again.”

“Jarrod,” she told him, “your father is not mad at you. He just gets aggravated easily. And sometimes he just doesn’t handle it well. You have to be patient with him.”

“Why does he have to yell at me?” he asked. “What have I done to make him so mad at me?”

“He’s aggravated because he has to look after the workings of this ranch as well as business dealings in five different states,” she answered. “You haven’t done anything to make him angry. He’s that way with me.”

“Really?” he asked. “I thought I was the only one.”

“No,” she answered. “I just don’t let it bother me.”

“How?” he asked.

“Why don’t you pack some of your books?” she suggested. “Then if you start to get upset, you can pull one of them out.”

“That’s a great idea,” he answered. “I will. Thanks mother for understanding.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” she said smiling.

Jarrod smiled too.

Chapter Two

That night, Jarrod put the finishing touches on his packing. He had picked out three of his favorite books and had packed them neatly in his bag.

“Are you finished?” she asked as she walked in to tuck him in.

“Yes mother,” he answered. “I packed three of my favorite books.”

“Good,” she said smiling. “Now, get your nightshirt on and I’ll tuck you in.”

“All right,” he replied starting to change.

When Jarrod was changed, he crawled into bed and Victoria tucked him in.

“Mother,” he said smiling up at her, “thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied also smiling. “Now you get a good night’s sleep and we’ll have a nice trip.”

“All right,” he told her as she kissed him goodnight.

Once Jarrod was asleep, she found Tom working in the study.

“We need to talk again,” she said as she walked into the room. “It’s a continuation of last night.”

“What about?” he asked not looking up. “I thought we covered everything then.”

“Your son,” she answered. “Do you know what he was doing this morning?”

“No,” he said.

“He was lying on his bed crying,” she replied. “He didn’t want to go camping for fear that he would make you angry at him.”

“Now where did he get a fool idea like that?” he asked.

“From you evidently,” she answered. “Tom, for some reason he is afraid of you and your wrath.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked finally looking up.

“Tom,” she answered, “he doesn’t seem to ever please you. You’re always telling him in a loud voice that he is in big trouble. He’s only eight. You can’t expect a eight-year-old boy to know everything.”

“All I told them yesterday was to stop arguing,” he said. “How can that hurt him?”

“Has it ever occurred to you that maybe he and Nick enjoy their arguments?” she asked. “I can see how they would. They can let steam off rather than getting physical with each other.”

“No,” he answered. “How could it be enjoyable?”

“They argue and then they are fine with each other,” she answered. “If they didn’t argue, they could end up in a fight and one or the other could get hurt.”

“You have a point,” he said. “All right, I’ll try to be more tolerable toward him when he is arguing.”

“Good,” she replied kissing him. “He looks up to you. He doesn’t understand why you get so angry with him over nothing. Try to imagine what he’s going through. You are one of his heroes and he wants to please you.”

“I’ll try,” he told her. “I’ll really try.”

Tom sat there after his wife had left thinking about his son. Had he been too hard on Jarrod? Had he caused a rift in their relationship? Did he really despise Jarrod’s book reading? He just didn’t know anymore. He was so confused. As Tom went upstairs later that night, he walked down to Jarrod’s room. He opened the door, walking inside. He stood at the side of the bed looking at his sleeping son. He covered Jarrod’s arms up and kissed him goodnight.

“Goodnight son,” he said and went to bed.

As he laid there, he realized that he had been treating his son differently than he did Nick. He also realized that Jarrod was a wonderful, bright boy. He vowed to be more patient with him and not take out his aggressions on his son.

Chapter Three

The next morning, everyone was up early. Tom wanted to get an early start. When Jarrod came down to eat, Tom sat down beside of him because he wanted to have a word with him.

“Son,” he said looking at Jarrod, “I believe I owe you an apology. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I don’t mean too. I know you and Nick argue. From now on, I’ll try not to let it bother me so much. You are different from me and more like your mother, who I love very much. Can you forgive me for being so hard on you?”

“Father,” Jarrod replied looking up at him, “I understand. You have a lot to do with the ranch and sometimes I get in the way.”

“You are never in my way,” he told his son. “I love you Jarrod. You are my son. I want you to be a happy boy.”

“I am,” Jarrod said. “I forgive you father. I haven’t been that nice to you either but I want you to know that I’m proud to have you as my father. You are always there when I need you. Mother told me to pack three of my favorite books and I did. She said that if I get to feeling homesick or get aggravated with something, I can pull one of them out and look at it.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” he replied.

Jarrod just looked at him not sure what he had just said.

“Did you say that was a wonderful idea?” Jarrod asked. “You have always thought book reading was for sissies.”

“Who told you that?” he wanted to know.

“I don’t know,” Jarrod answered.

“Let me tell you something,” he said. “You’re going to be a very smart man because you love school. I’m not going to tell you that you can’t read a book. Sometimes, I get upset because you won’t do anything else but read. But I never said that book reading was sissy.”

“I see father,” Jarrod replied. “I’ll go camping and try my best to have a good time.”

“You don’t have to try,” he told his son. “If you are happy, you’ll have a wonderful time. If you’re not, we can come home early.”

“All right,” Jarrod told him smiling and hugged his father tightly. “It’s a deal. Father, can we go fishing?”

“Good,” he said also smiling and returning the hug. “Fishing? Are you sure?”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied. “I really like fishing. Maybe I can catch enough so we can eat them for dinner.”

“I don’t see why not,” he told his son. “You want to fish alone?”

“No,” Jarrod said looking up at Tom. “I want to fish with you.”

“I’m glad,” he replied smiling. I’d be happy to go fishing with you.”

“Great,” Jarrod told him rising from the table.

After Jarrod left the room, Victoria smiled at her husband.

“You’re learning,” she said.

“I’m really trying,” he replied. “I never realized just how sensitive he is. And I truly want him to have a wonderful time.”

“He’s just a boy now but when he is grown, he’ll never forget what you’ve done for him.”

“I hope he will remember happy times,” he told her. “I really love that boy and only want the best for him.”

“I know,” she said smiling. “Shall we finish getting ready?”

Tom nodded. Jarrod ran into Nick in the hallway on his way to the wagon.

“Hi Jay,” he said.

“Nick,” Jarrod replied stopping in front of his brother. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah,” he told his brother. “I want to say I sorry.”

“Don’t think nothing about it,” Jarrod said smiling. “You know we argue about everything. If we didn’t, I would think something is wrong with us.”

“That right,” he replied also smiling. “Sit together?”

“Sure,” Jarrod told him. “Come on and we’ll pack our stuff.”

Nick and Jarrod headed to the wagon, which was parked in front of the house. Each boy laid his small bag in the back. Jarrod’s bag had everything neatly packed inside while Nick’s looked a bit haphazardly packed.

“Are you sure you packed everything you’re going to need?” Jarrod asked.

“I think so,” Nick answered.

“Well,” Jarrod said, “if you forget anything, you can’t come back here to get it.”

“I didn’t,” Nick replied.

“All right,” Jarrod told him. “Don’t say I didn’t ask you?”

“I won’t,” Nick said.

Victoria and Tom brought out the rest of the items, packing them.

“That’s it,” Tom said. “Let’s get going.”

They climbed into the wagon and headed off.

Chapter Four

The trip to Indian Springs was an enjoyable one for the entire Barkley family. Jarrod and Nick were playing a game in the back of the wagon.

“Jay,” Nick said, “we be scout. We look for Indians.”

“All right,” Jarrod replied smiling. “We can be on a patrol and scouting.”

“Yes,” Nick told him. “I captain.”

“Now wait just a minute,” Jarrod said. “I’m the oldest. I should be the captain.”

“No,” Nick replied. “Me.”

“I want to be,” Jarrod told him.

Tom could sense that another argument was on the horizon. He looked at Victoria.

“I’m trying,” he said. “But I was hoping they could go the day without one.”

“Why don’t you tell them to stop?” she asked.

“No,” he answered. “They’re enjoying themselves. Let them argue.”

“I’m glad,” she said smiling.

“Me too,” he replied also smiling.

After a few more minutes, the boys stopped arguing. They were intently watching a herd of beautiful horses running free.

“Look Jay,” Nick said. “Nice horses.”

“Yeah,” Jarrod replied. “They’re beautiful.”

Tom couldn’t help but smile as he heard Jarrod talking about horses. He thought the boy wasn’t even interested in horses period. He was learning more about his son.

“Boys,” he said, “they are mustangs. Someone will try to capture them to break and sell.”

“That doesn’t seem right father,” Jarrod replied. “Those horses are happy running free. Why would anyone want to catch them?”

“Some people don’t care where they get their horses from,” he told his son. “You have to be careful about who you buy horses from. It’s all right to catch a few at a time to break but not all of them.”

“I’m learning that,” Jarrod said. “Could you tell me more sometime?”

“You mean about horses?” he asked.

“Yes sir,” Jarrod answered. “And about the ranch?”

“Sure,” he said. “I’d love too.”

“Your father knows a lot about horses and cattle Jarrod,” she replied. “He can teach you so much if you let him.”

“I want to know,” Jarrod told them.

“We’ll start as soon as we get back home,” he said smiling broadly.

“All right,” Jarrod replied also smiling.

Tom smiled at his wife.

“He wants to be a part of my life,” he said. “He wants to learn about how the ranch works.”

“Yes,” she replied. “All you have to do is give him time. He loves you and wants to learn what you have to teach.”

“I’ll teach him everything I know,” he told her.

“But not all at once,” she said smiling.

“No,” he replied, “not all at once.

Jarrod smiled at Nick.

“I think I made father happy,” he said.

“You do,” Nick replied. “He love Jay.”

I know,” he told his younger brother. “I know.”

Tom and Victoria were now discussing the best spot to set up camp.

“I think we should set up camp at that spot where the water level is low,” she said. “That way the boys couldn’t get hurt if they happened to fall in.”

“They are not going to fall in,” he replied. “So, we’re going up river where the river banks are high. It’s the perfect spot.”

“Tom,” she told him, “I don’t want to be that high up. I’m concerned that one or both of the boys will fall in or somehow get hurt.”

“Will you stop worrying?” he asked. “You are letting your motherly instinct get the best of you. Those two are smart boys and they won’t fall in.”

“I hope you’re right,” she answered.

“I am,” he said.

When they arrived, they quickly set up camp.

“First thing,” he said as they climbed down, “is to get the tent set up. Jarrod, you and Nick give me a hand.”

“Yes father,” Jarrod replied.

“OK,” Nick told him.

It took them fifteen minutes to get the tent set up. Nick had a problem trying to tie one of the ends to the steak that Tom had hammered into the ground. He was getting mad.

“Come on,” he said. “I need to finish.”

“Having trouble Nick,” Jarrod replied walking over to his brother.

“Yeah,” Nick told him. “This won’t tie.”

“Let me have it,” Jarrod said pulling hard on it and finally securing it. “There you are.”

“Thanks Jay,” Nick replied.

“No problem,” Jarrod told him.

Once that was done, they helped Tom and Victoria unload all the supplies.

“Father,” Jarrod asked after they finished up, “may I go exploring?”

“I don’t know son,” he answered. “I need to stay close to camp and can’t go with you.”

“I’ll be careful,” Jarrod said. “Please. I can go alone.”

“All right,” he replied. “Don’t go too far and be careful.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him. “Nick, you want to go?”

“Sure,” Nick said following Jarrod.

“You watch out for Nick,” he replied as they walked away.

“Tom,” she told him, “are you sure you should be letting him go off on his own? He’s still a small boy and you had to set up camp at the highest part of the riverbank. Sometimes I don’t understand your motives.”

“How is he going to learn if I don’t let him find out things for himself?” he asked. “I want them to learn and Jarrod is a smart boy.”

“Well,” she answered, “I don’t know about letting them wander too close to the water. He doesn’t know how to swim that well.”

“Jarrod is level-headed,” he said. “And he will keep an eye on Nick. He’ll learn how to swim because I will teach him.”

“I am just a worrier,” she replied.

“They will be fine,” he told her.

Jarrod and Nick walked along the edge of the bank of the river. It was at least five to ten feet down to the water below. And the current was running very swiftly.

“That water sure looks cold,” Jarrod said as they walked. “I bet if we fell in, it’d be so cold, we’d freeze.”

“I no fall in,” Nick replied.

“You stay away from the edge and you won’t fall in,” Jarrod told him. “I don’t see how we could fall in. We’re way up here.”

Then Jarrod spotted a fallen tree across the river. It looked sturdy because it was lying on both banks and looked secure to him. He really knew he shouldn’t do what he was thinking but he wanted to prove something to his father and his brother.

“Look,” he said pointing at the tree. “There’s a tree across the water. I bet I could walk across it.”

“No Jay,” Nick replied. “Fall in.”

“Will you stop worrying?” Jarrod told him. “It looks sturdy and I am sure I can keep my balance long enough to walk across.”

“No,” Nick said. “Please Jay.”

“I’m going to walk across to the other side,” he said. “You wait here.”

“No Jay,” Nick replied trying to hold him back. “Please don’t go.”

“Let go,” he told his brother. “I’ll be fine.”

Again, Nick tried to stop Jarrod but he just shook him off.

“No,” Nick told him. “No go.”

“Now you listen,” he said. “I’m going to walk across that tree. You wait here and I’ll wave to you from the other side. It’ll be all right. It’s not going anywhere.”

“OK,” Nick replied but he was still scared.

Jarrod stepped up onto one end of the tree. It wasn’t a very big one. Maybe twelve inches in diameter. He put his arms out to steady him and started to walk across. He almost lost his balance twice but regained it quickly. The tree started to slide from the ground giving way as he moved further out on it. Evidentially, there has recently been a great deal of rain that had caused the mud to erode under one end of the tree. Jarrod didn’t notice until it was too late. Nick saw it and tried to warn his brother.

“Jay!” he shouted as he saw the tree slide. “Look out!”

Jarrod didn’t hear him and the tree finally slipped from its perch on the bank plunging toward the cold, and wild river below. Jarrod screamed as he fell.

“Father!” he cried. “Help me! Nick!”

Nick watched in horror as Jarrod hit the water hard. The tree barely missed hitting him. Jarrod tried to swim but the current was too swift and he was carried down stream. Nick ran to his father as fast as his small legs would carry him.

“Papa!” he screamed as he ran. “Papa!”

Tom hearing his youngest son’s cries started to move toward the sound. Nick slid to a stop in front of him.

“Nick,” he asked, “where’s Jarrod?”

“Fall in,” Nick answered panting. “Jay in water.”

“What!” he cried. “How did he fall in?”

“Try to walk across water,” Nick said.

“Where Nick?” he asked.

Victoria walked over.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

“Jarrod fell in,” he answered.

“He what!” she cried. “Where is he?”

“That’s what I’m trying to find out,” he said turning his attention back to Nick.

“Me show,” Nick replied heading off.

He led them to the bank where the tree had been. Tom and Victoria looked down into the river. Jarrod was no where in sight. Tom started walking farther down stream looking for any sign of his son. Finally, after walking several minutes, Victoria spotted him.

“There he is,” she said pointing. “The water’s too swift. He can’t stay afloat. He’s being carried father down stream. How can we get to him?”

“I’m going in,” he replied jumping into the water.

“Tom,” she told him, “be careful.”

Tom swam as hard as he could to reach his son. Jarrod was still fighting but he was slowly losing the battle. Tom didn’t know whether he would reach him in time.

Chapter Five

Jarrod was having a very hard time keeping his head above water. His arms and legs were so tired. Then he thought he saw his father.

“Jarrod,” Tom said as he slowly made his way toward him, “I’m coming. Just hold on.”

Jarrod was too weak and tired to respond. He was trying to continue to fight but he was going under more. From the bank, Victoria and Nick watched as Tom battled the current trying to reach his son. Finally, when Jarrod had stopped struggling, Tom reached out and grabbed his arm. He reached out with his arms, securing Jarrod under his arms and began to swim toward shore. She breathed a sigh of relief as she and Nick rushed to meet them.

“Tom,” she said as he carried Jarrod out of the water, “I thought we had lost him for sure.”

“He’s barely breathing,” he replied as he held Jarrod in his arms. “He’s fought so hard to stay afloat that he is exhausted. He probably swallowed a lot of water. And he’s cold.”

“Let’s get him back to the warm fire,” she told him.

They made their way to their campsite. As they walked, Victoria and Tom couldn’t keep their eyes from their oldest son. Jarrod was so still. They were both very worried. When Tom laid Jarrod down on one of the blankets, Victoria realized that he had a bad cut on his left cheek.

“Tom,” she said pointing at it, “he’s cut.”

“I’m going to ride to Stockton and bring the doctor,” he replied changing his wet clothes. “I don’t know what other injuries Jarrod has received. While I’m gone, get him into dry clothes and keep him close to the fire. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Yes,” she told him. “Be careful Tom.”

“I will,” he said as he mounted up and rode off.

As Tom rode, his thoughts were centered on his son. How could he have let this happen? Jarrod might be hurt badly. He didn’t know. So, he picked up the pace.

Victoria pulled Jarrod’s wet clothes off. He never stirred. She noticed some bruises and abrasions on his legs, chest and arms. She didn’t see any broken bones but she was worried about him none the less.

“Nick,” she said, “hand me a clean pair of Jarrod’s long underwear. They’re in his bag.”

“Yes mama,” he replied searching for the underwear, finding it and handing it to her.

Victoria, finally, after several minutes got the clean underwear on him as well as wrapping him in a blanket. She then sat down beside of him. His lips were blue and his face was white. She knew that he was probably cold so she moved him closer to the hot fire. But she was very worried.

“Nick,” she said, “go get some more wood. We need to keep this fire going until your father gets back.”

“All right,” Nick replied heading off for wood but he was also thinking about Jarrod.

When he came back, he dropped the wood and sat down beside of her.

“Jay all right?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered.

“He quiet,” he said.

“I know,” she replied. “I hope he will be.”

“You not know?” he asked.

“No sweetheart,” she answered. “I don’t know.”

All they could do now was wait and hope.

Chapter Six

It took Tom three hours to ride to Stockton, pick up the doctor and ride back.

“Doc,” he said as they rode, “he had stopped struggling and he was completely limp.”

“How bad was the current?” the doctor asked.

“Pretty swift,” he answered.

“A boy the size of Jarrod will expend a lot of energy trying to stay above the water,” the doctor said. “I need to see if he has any broken bones or if he hit his head.”

“I don’t know,” he replied trying to remember. “The only thing we saw was a deep gash on his left cheek.”

“I see,” the doctor told him.

“Doc,” he said, “he has to be all right. He just has too.”

“I’m sure he will Tom,” the doctor replied. “Try not to worry so much.”

“You don’t understand,” he told him. “I feel responsible. He didn’t want to come. I talked him into it. And look.”

“Tom,” the doctor said, “will you calm down? You’re not going to do Jarrod any good if you’re upset yourself.”

“I know,” he replied but he was very worried.

When they arrived, the doctor quickly went to his small patient.

“Has he regained consciousness at all?” he asked.

“No,” she answered. “He’s been so still.”

The doctor thoroughly examined Jarrod and then looked up at Tom and Victoria.

“He has no broken bones,” he said. “The cut on his cheek is deep and will have to be stitched up. He is completely exhausted as well as badly bruised. And he swallowed some water. But I don’t think that will hurt him. He’ll be all right but I don’t want him moved for a few days so I can keep a close eye on him. I want to make sure there isn’t a concussion.”

“Then he will be all right?” Tom asked.

“He’s going to be fine,” he answered. “He just needs a lot of rest.”

“He’ll get plenty,” she said smiling. “Why doesn’t he wake up?”

“His head has been pretty badly jolted by the water,” he replied. “His system needs time to rest. I’m sure in a few hours he’ll wake up and be fine.”

“I have a feeling there is something that you are not telling us,” she told him.

“If his head has been banged around too much,” he said, “he may not wake up. But that’s not likely. Like I said there are no broken bones. Most likely, he is just exhausted from fighting the current and trying to stay above the water.”

About that time, Jarrod began to moan. The doctor waited until Jarrod was awake. Jarrod, on the other hand, was fighting through a haze. He remembered falling into the cold water. He was fighting to stay afloat. Finally, he opened his eyes and winced at the pain coming from his head as well as his entire body.

“Are you in pain son?” the doctor asked.

“My head,” he answered.

The doctor examined Jarrod’s head and found a small bump on the back of it.

“You must have hit your head on something,” the doctor said. “There’s a bump.”

“I don’t remember,” he replied. “I hurt.”

“That’s understandable,” the doctor told him. “You took a nasty fall. I’m going to wrap your head and then give you something.”

Jarrod then noticed his parents.

“I’m sorry father,” he said. “Mother. I know I shouldn’t have done it but I just wanted to prove to you that I was a Barkley.”

“You have nothing to prove to me,” Tom replied sitting down beside of Jarrod. “You showed me while you were in the water how brave you are.”

“I did,” he told him.

“Yes,” Tom said smiling. “What made you fall in?”

Jarrod turned his head away. Nick answered.

“Jay climb on tree,” Nick said. “Try walk across water.”

“You tried to walk across a fallen tree?” Victoria asked.

“Yes mother,” he answered. “It looked sturdy. I didn’t know the ground would give way.”

“Jarrod,” she said, “how could you. You know better. You could have been killed.”

“I’m sorry,” he replied starting to cry. “I know I’ll be punished.”

“We’ll worry about that when we get home,” Tom told his son. “Right now, you need to rest.”

“I’m cold,” he said.

“I’ll get you another blanket,” she replied going to retrieve one.

“Here you go,” the doctor told him, while giving him a spoonful of medicine.

Jarrod took the medicine and his tired eyes closed. Victoria wrapped him in the blanket.

Chapter Seven

Tom, Victoria and the doctor fixed Jarrod a warm bed inside the tent. As Tom picked him up to move him, Jarrod cried out.

“It’s all right son,” he said. “I’m just moving you to a more comfortable bed. You go back to sleep.”

Jarrod didn’t say anymore. Once he was settled, Tom and Victoria sat down for the first time.

“How could I have been so hard on him?” he asked. “He’s just a boy.”

“Tom,” she answered. “It’s all right. He’s going to be fine.”

“Victoria,” he asked, “do you realize how close he came to dying in that river?”

“Yes,” she answered. “But his father saved him. You, Tom. You are his hero.”

“I did it because I love him,” he said.

“I know that,” she replied. “I can’t understand what caused the tree to give way.”

“It’s recently rained here,” he told her. “Probably heavy. The ground underneath one end just washed away and that caused the tree to slip and fall.

“I can’t believe that he would do something like this,” she said shaking her head.

“It’s like you said,” he replied. “He’s still only a boy. Curiosity most likely.”

Tom stood up and walked out of the tent. He saw the doctor leaning against a tree smoking a cigar. He walked over.

“How is Jarrod?” the doctor asked.

“Still asleep,” he answered. “Doc, I don’t know what to do.”

“What are you talking about?” the doctor asked.

“I know I need to punish him,” he answered. “But I’m also very proud of him for trying something that stupid.”

“It’s understandable,” the doctor said. “You know that he did it for you.”

“Yes,” he replied. “I have been so hard on him. He and Nick argue just about all the time. I usually get angry with Jarrod rather than Nick. But that will change. That boy did that to show me he was a Barkley.”

“Yes,” the doctor told him. “I believe he did. It’s a blessing he wasn’t killed though. Sometimes boys can be so reckless.”

“I’ll punish him for the tree,” he said. “But I’m also very proud of him. He put up a fight in the water. He tried to save himself. But he wasn’t strong enough. I’m glad I was there to rescue him. Now, his mother may have more to say. But I’m still going to be proud of that boy.”

“Tom,” the doctor replied, “he’s a fine boy. He’s going to be smart. I can tell that just by talking to him. He doesn’t talk like a boy.”

“I know,” he told the doctor. “Sometimes I forget he’s only seven. But I have to remind myself because he can get hurt if I’m not careful enough to watch him. Like I should have been today.”

“Don’t blame yourself,” the doctor said. “He’s was just being a boy.”

“I wanted to bring the family here for a vacation,” he replied. “Some vacation. My oldest son is lying in there after nearly being killed in that river. What went so wrong?”

“Tom,” the doctor told him looking at him, “don’t be so hard on yourself. Jarrod is alive and he’s going to be fine. You can still have a wonderful time. The only difference is that he will have to take it easy for a few days. That’s all.”

“I guess you’re right,” he said heading back to the tent.

The doctor watched him go.

Chapter Eight

That night, Jarrod woke up sweating. He tried to sit up but was hit with a tremendous headache. Tom heard him and moved over to his son.

“Easy Jarrod,” he said as he sat beside his son. “You don’t need to move around too much right now.”

“What happened?” Jarrod asked not sure of anything.

“You fell in the river earlier today,” he answered. “You almost drown.”

“I remember now,” Jarrod said. “Why does my head hurt?”

“You must have hit it,” he replied. “You’re probably sore all over after your ordeal in the water.”

“Yes I am,” Jarrod told him realizing that his entire body was sore. “I’m sorry father. I know it was wrong. Can you forgive me?”

Tom looked down at Jarrod with a very stern expression on his face.

“You scared your mother and me,” he said. “You did something that was dangerous. But you know what?”

“What?” Jarrod asked confused.

“I’m proud of you trying,” he answered. “Just don’t tell your mother. When we get home, your privileges will be taken away for two weeks.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod said. “I understand. “Spend the days in my room except for meals and chores; no friends can visit me nor can I visit any friends and no horse riding.”

“That’s about it,” he replied. “But you’re going to be sore for at least a week so you probably won’t miss most of the things.”

“What about my books sir?” Jarrod asked.

“You can look at them while you are in your room,” he answered. “I’m not going to take them away from you.”

“Thanks father,” Jarrod said. “I’m really sorry.”

“I know that,” he replied. “I don’t think you’ll do it again.”

“No sir,” Jarrod told him. “No way.”

“You try to get some sleep,” he said. “We’ll talk more in the morning.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied and closed his eyes.

Tom went back to bed but he couldn’t go to sleep. He never realized just how smart his son was until tonight. He smiled at the thought and vowed to treat Jarrod with dignity from now on.

The next morning, Tom and Victoria were up early. The doctor came in to check his patient.

“Jarrod’s still asleep doc,” Tom said.

“I’ll give him a thorough examination to make sure there aren’t any problems,” he replied going to work.

Tom and Victoria stepped outside to begin breakfast.

“I’m going to fix some flapjacks,” he said as he stoked up the fire.

“That’s Jarrod’s favorite breakfast,” she replied. “He’ll enjoy that.”

“I hope so,” he told her. “He deserves a little fun.”

“I heard you up during the night,” she said. “Was anything wrong?”

“No,” he replied. “Jarrod woke up and I sat with him for a little while.”

“What did you two talk about?” she asked while she was working on breakfast along with Tom.

“Well,” he answered. “He understands that he did something very dangerous. I told him all his privileges have been taken away for two weeks.”

“That’s not going to be too bad,” she said. “He’s not going to feel like doing a whole lot for several days.”

“I told him that,” he replied. “He asked me about his books.”

“What did you tell him?” she asked.

“I didn’t have the heart to take them away from him,” he answered. “I told him that while he was cooped up in his room, he could have his books.”

“Tom,” she said kissing him, “you’re a wonderful husband and father.”

“Why thank you Mrs. Barkley,” he replied returning the kiss. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“Why thank you kind sir,” she told him smiling. “We better get this breakfast finished. We’re going to have two hungry boys on our hands.”

“You’re right,” he said.

The doctor emerged from the tent. Tom and Victoria both turned to face him.

“He’s doing as well as can be expected,” he said. “He still has a slight concussion and he’s still bruised but otherwise he’s fine. I don’t want him to get up just yet. He needs to rest for at least another day.”

“That’s great news doc,” Tom replied.

“Yes it is,” she told him.

“Doc,” Tom said, “I know you said not to let him up today. But I was wondering if it would be all right to carry Jarrod down to the water, fix up a place for him to rest against and fish.”

“Well,” the doctor replied, “if you are very gentle with him and he doesn’t move around too much, I don’t see why not.”

“Great,” he told the doctor smiling. “It’s about time that boy enjoys himself.”

“Tom,” she asked, “are you sure about this?”

“Yes,” he answered. “I think Jarrod would really enjoy fishing.”

“All right,” she said. “But when he gets tired, you put him to bed.”

“Agreed,” he replied.

Chapter Nine

After a hearty breakfast, Tom walked into the tent to talk to Jarrod.

“Son,” he said sitting down, “I wanted to know if you would like to fish. The doctor said that if you were very still you could.”

“That would be fun father,” Jarrod replied trying to sit up.

“I said if you didn’t move around,” he told his son. “Now, let me do all the work. Nick!”

“Yes papa,” Nick said as he hurried into the tent.

“I want you to carry these two pillows down to the edge of the water,” he replied handing the pillows to Nick. “I’m going to prop Jarrod up in front of a tree and let him fish.”

“Oh boy,” Nick told him. “I do.”

Tom eased his arms under Jarrod lifting him from the bed. Jarrod cried out once but relaxed and the pain subsided. Tom carried him down to the water, setting him down in front of a small oak tree. Then he turned to Nick.

“Let me have the pillows,” he said.

Nick handed them to Tom who eased them behind his son’s back.

“How does that feel son?” he asked.

“Fine sir,” Jarrod answered. “Where are the poles?”

“I’ll get them,” he said walking back to camp. “Nick, you get some worms.”

“Yes papa,” Nick replied starting to scratch around in the dirt.

Jarrod just sat there looking at the water flowing by. He remembered the fall and almost drowning. As he did, he started to cry. Tom walked up.

“Son,” he asked, “what’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about what had happened,” Jarrod answered. “I’m a little scared about almost dying.”

“You’re going to be fine,” he said smiling. “Now you ready to fish?”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied drying his eyes.

Once Nick had dug up several worms, Tom attached one to a line that he tied to one of the poles. Next, he threw the worm into the river. Then he handed the pole to Jarrod. The boy smiled as he held onto the pole. Tom smiled at his sons.

“Papa,” Nick said, “I have trouble. Help.”

“All right,” he replied walking over to Nick.

Tom helped Nick secure his worm on the line and then Nick threw it out into the water. The three of them sat together. Victoria smiled as she watched her husband and sons.

“Thank you doctor,” she said. “That’s just what the three of them needed.”

“You’re right about that,” he replied. “Tom has been so busy lately with the ranch and other things that I was beginning to get worried that he might have a heart attack. This trip couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“I know that very well,” she told him. “I only wish that Jarrod could have enjoyed it more.”

“I think he’s having a ball,” he said pointing.

She looked back at the three and Jarrod was trying to pull in a good-sized fish.

“Father,” Jarrod said, “I’ve caught one.”

“Easy son,” Tom replied coming to his son’s side. “Let me take your line and you hold mine.”

Tom pulled easy on the line to snag the fish securely. He smiled when he pulled it from the water.

“That’s a beautiful fish son,” he said holding it up.

“Wow,” Jarrod replied looking at it. “It’s a big one.”

“At least nine pounds,” he told his son.

As Tom was hooking the fish to a line near them, Jarrod called to him.

“You’ve got one father,” Jarrod said.

Tom quickly hurried over to his son, taking the line from him.

“You’re bringing the best luck,” he said as he pulled this fish in.

“You’re just saying that,” Jarrod replied.

“No I’m not,” he told him. “We’ve never caught this many at one time.”

“I’m glad,” Jarrod said smiling broadly.

For the next couple of hours, Tom and the boys fished. Jarrod kept catching one fish after another. Finally, he started to get very tired. From the campsite, Victoria could tell Jarrod was fighting to stay awake. She walked down to him.

“Tom,” she said when she walked up, “Jarrod’s tired. I think that’s enough excitement for now.”

“All right,” he replied easing his arms under his son and picking him up. “Nick, you bring the poles and fish.”

“Yes papa,” Nick told him.

Tom carried Jarrod back to the tent. Once they were inside, he eased Jarrod down onto the bed. The boy’s eyes closed almost immediately. As Tom walked out of the tent, Nick walked up with the poles and fish.

“Can you believe how many fish he caught?” he asked. “I’m going to take Jarrod fishing with me from now on. He’s good luck.”

“Papa,” Nick replied disappointed, “I no get any.”

“I’m sorry son,” he told his son. “You will later.”

“OK,” Nick said walking away.

“I think I’m winning both of my sons over and then something like this happens,” he replied watching Nick.

“You can’t please both of them at the same time,” she told him. “Nick will get over it.”

“I know,” he said. “I better get these fish cleaned.”

Tom headed off to clean the fish so they could eat them for supper that evening.

Chapter Ten

After Jarrod woke up from his three-hour nap, he called to his father.

“Father,” he said. “Father.”

“What is it son?” Tom asked as he walked inside. “Are you hurting?”

“No,” he answered. “I wanted to ask you a favor.”

“What?” Tom asked.

“I was wondering if I could sit outside under a tree for a while,” he answered. “I love to be outside.”

“Are you all right Jarrod?” Tom asked stunned by his son’s comment.

“I don’t understand what you mean,” he answered.

“You said you love to be outside,” Tom said. “You’ve always hated the outdoors.”

“No I haven’t,” he replied. “It’s the dirt I hate.”

“I’ll talk to the doctor,” Tom told him as he left the tent.

Jarrod laid there looking at the ceiling of the tent. He was angry with himself for being so stupid. He should have never tried to walk across that tree.

“Why couldn’t I have listened to father?” he asked out loud. “I wouldn’t have caused he and mother so much trouble.”

Tom had heard what Jarrod said as he walked back inside. He sat down beside the bed.

“Son,” he said, “that is all over with. There’s nothing that will change it. You need to remember that. As for causing us trouble, you have just worried us. Actually, scared us would be a better term.”

“I know,” Jarrod replied. “I’m nothing but trouble.”

“Now hold on a minute,” he told his son. “You are not trouble. You are a wonderful boy who just made a mistake. That’s all.”

“I wish I could believe that,” Jarrod said letting the tears fall down his face.

“You can,” he replied. “You mean the world to your mother and me. I’m not just saying that. You are our son and we love you so much.”

“Are you sure?” Jarrod asked.

“Yes,” he answered smiling. “How about that trip outside?”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod said also smiling.

Tom eased him up into his arms, carrying him outside to a makeshift bed under a tree. After Tom sat him down, Jarrod smiled at his mother and brother.

“I’m sorry Nick,” he said. “I haven’t been much fun on this trip.”

“That ok,” Nick replied. “You hurt.”

“I’m going to be better one day and I promise we’ll have some fun,” he told his brother.

“Me know you will,” Nick said smiling.

“Mother,” he replied, “while I’m apologizing, I feel I owe you one too. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“I guess mothers have to worry about their children,” she told him. “I know this won’t be the last time. Let’s just forget it for now.”

“I can’t,” he said. “I have to get this out. I’m sorry. Please forgive me for ruining your trip.”

“Son,” Tom replied, “we forgive you. But getting upset isn’t going to help. You have to realize that.”

“I know,” he told his father. “I have a lot to make up for.”

“We’ll take care of all that when we get home,” Tom said.

They enjoyed the last day of their trip and prepared to head home.

Chapter Eleven

On Saturday, the family packed up for the trip home. Jarrod was now able to walk on his own. He was still sore and still had a slight headache but he was over the worst of it.

“I believe that is everything,” Tom said as he surveyed the campsite. “Is everyone ready to leave?”

“Where’s Jarrod?” she asked looking around. “He’s disappeared.”

“No mama,” Nick answered. “Jay sitting over there.”

Nick pointed to Jarrod sitting near the water’s edge throwing rocks into the river. Tom walked over to his son.

“Jarrod,” he said, “we’re ready to leave.”

“I’m sorry father,” Jarrod replied looking up. “I was just enjoying the water one more time.”

“Let’s go,” he told his son.

Jarrod stood up and went to the wagon. Then the family headed back to the ranch. On the way, Jarrod was very quiet.

“What’s wrong Jarrod?” she asked concerned.

“Nothing mother,” he answered but she could tell something was bothering him.

“I know good and well that something is bothering you,” she said. “What is it?”

“I was thinking about having to spend the next two weeks in my room,” he replied. “I know I deserve it but it’s summertime and I long to be outside having fun.”

“It will pass quickly,” she told him. “Aren’t you the one who helped your father decide on the punishment?”

“Yes mother,” he said. “But I...”

“I understand completely son,” Tom replied. “You will remember that water for the rest of your life.”

“Yes sir,” he told his father. “I know I did something very stupid. I only wish that it was one week instead of two.”

“Well,” Tom said, “you’ll get over it.”

“Yes sir,” he replied.

When they rode up to the house, they were glad to be home. They quickly unloaded the wagon and Jarrod went into the house. He walked up to his room, closing the door. He sat down on the bed and cried.

“I wish we hadn’t punished him that hard,” Tom said as he and Victoria walked into the house. “I have a feeling he’s going to be miserable over the next two weeks.”

“Maybe we can spend some time with him during those two weeks,” she suggested.

“Yes,” Tom replied. “That’s a good idea.”

Chapter Twelve

During his first week of staying in his room, Jarrod was trying to reach a book lying on top of his chest of drawers. When he couldn’t reach it from the floor, he stood up in a chair that he pulled over from his small desk that Tom had built. Once he had the book in his hand, his booted foot slipped on the slick surface and he fell backward from the chair hitting the back of his head on the corner of the bed. Luckily, no one heard him fall. He shook off the black spots but a headache started. He decided not to tell his parents for he felt like they would make him stay in his room for another week after what at happened at Indian Springs. He didn’t go down to eat any meals for several days after the fall. He didn’t feel like eating. His head was aching and he was a little sick on his stomach.

Victoria tried to convince Jarrod to eat something.

“Jarrod,” she said after the second day of his not eating, “you need to come down for dinner.”

“I’m not hungry mother,” he replied.

“You have to eat,” she told him. “Is there anything bothering you?”

“Not now,” he said. “No there isn’t. I’m just not hungry. Please just leave me alone.”

She left the room but she had a feeling that something was wrong with him. The next day, she decided to talk to Tom about Jarrod.

“Tom,” she said, “I’m going to take a tray of food up to Jarrod. He hasn’t been down to eat in several days.”

“He’s probably just tired or angry at us for making him stay in his room,” he replied. “I wouldn’t worry about it. When he gets hungry, he’ll be down.”

“Still,” she told him, “Jarrod has to eat.”

“All right,” he said realizing that she was worried about Jarrod. “Do what you think is best for him. But I still think its nothing to worry about.”

Victoria walked upstairs with the tray to Jarrod’s room, and knocked on his door. When there wasn’t any answer, she decided to go on in.

“Honey,” she said as she walked into his room carrying the tray of food, “you need to eat something so you won’t get sick.”

“I’m not hungry,” he replied not looking at her because he was trying to hide the fact that his head was still aching.

“You can’t go on a hunger strike because you have to stay in your room,” she told him. “You are acting like a baby.”

“Just leave me alone,” he said. “I don’t feel like talking or eating.”

“I’ll leave the tray,” she replied. “Please try to eat something.”

Victoria left the room but she was very concerned about her son. She walked downstairs, going into the study to see Tom. He looked up as she walked in.

“Still won’t eat?” he asked.

“No,” she answered. “I think it’s something more than the punishment.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I don’t know for sure,” she answered. “But he is very distant. He hardly says two words.”

“Something is bothering him,” he said. “But how do we find out what it is?”

“I don’t have the vaguest idea,” she replied. “But one thing, he wouldn’t look at me. I don’t know whether that means anything. He may just be angry but I really think something may be wrong.”

Nick walked in the room.

“Papa,” he said, “Jay feel bad.”

“What do you mean son?” Tom asked turning his attention toward Nick.

“Jay feel bad inside,” he answered. “He hurt or sick.”

“How do you know?” she asked.

“I feel,” he answered.

“Are you telling us that you can feel what Jarrod feels inside you?” Tom asked.

“Yes papa,” he answered.

“Can you tell us what is making him feel bad?” she asked.

“I not sure,” he answered. “Jay hurt head.”

“His head,” she said looking at Tom with genuine concern. “Are you sure?”

“Yes mama,” he replied. “He keep it secret. He hurt it real bad in fall.”

“You mean that it didn’t get better after his fall?” Tom asked.

“No papa,” he answered. “Hurt it here not river. Jay not tell.”

“I wonder why he won’t tell us,” Tom said.

“Jay think you get mad at him,” he replied. “But head hurt bad at night. I hear Jay cry when he hurt.”

“He’s been keeping this a secret from us,” she told him. “Has it been getting worse each night?”

“Yes,” he said. “I afraid.”

“You may have just saved your brother’s life,” Tom replied standing up. “I’ll ride to town and have Doc Merrar check him over.”

“That’s a good idea,” she told him as he headed out the door.

Chapter Thirteen

After Tom had left to get the doctor, Victoria went to Jarrod’s room. He was lying on his bed trying desperately to stop the pounding in his head. He didn’t even hear the door open. When she walked inside, she knew he was in pain.

“Honey,” she asked as she sat down on the bed beside of him, “why didn’t you tell us about the fall?”

“What...fall?” he managed to ask.

“The fall in your room several days ago,” she answered. “If it hadn’t been for Nick you could be in more serious shape.”

“What’s Nick got to do with it?” he asked.

“He could feel your pain,” she answered. “He told us about the fall and the headaches you’ve been having.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said but she knew he was lying.

“Yes you do,” she replied. “Please let me help.”

Jarrod finally turned his head to look at her. She could see the pain on his face.

“Is it bad?” she asked.

“Yes,” he answered reaching for her.

Victoria eased him up into her lap and held him. She knew that he was miserable.

“You should have told us,” she said.

“I thought you would make me stay in my room another week if I told,” he replied. “It had gotten to the point where I couldn’t even raise my head off the pillow without it wanting to explode.”

“Your father has gone after the doctor,” she told him.

“I’m sorry mother,” he said crying for the first time. “It really hurts.”

“I’m right here,” she replied trying to comfort him. “Just try to relax.”

“I have been,” he told her. “But I’m so sick on my stomach that I can’t.”

“The doctor will be here soon,” she said.

The doctor followed by Tom walked in a short time later. The doctor eased Jarrod down onto the pillows and examined his head. When he touched the back of his head, Jarrod cried.

“Just as I suspected,” he said. “Another good-sized lump on the back of his head. Has he been having severe headaches?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Even though he didn’t tell us about them.”

“How did you find out?” he asked.

“Nick told us,” Tom answered.

“How did Nick know?” he asked.

“He said he felt Jarrod’s pain,” Tom answered. “Don’t ask me doc.”

“I think I know what’s happening,” she said. “Jarrod and Nick are very close that they seem to know when the other one is sick, hurt, etc.”

“A bond,” Tom replied. “Between the two of them.”

“Yes,” she told him. “It must be. If Nick can feel it, maybe Jarrod can too.”

“Well,” the doctor said looking up, “you have a pretty sick boy here. He has a concussion and he has let it go unchecked. Therefore, it has caused him to become very ill.”

“Can you help him?” Tom asked.

“Yes,” he answered. “I’ll wrap his head, give him something for the nausea, and the headaches. The main thing is to keep him quiet for a couple of days. He’s going to be fine but he needs to rest.”

“Don’t worry doc,” Tom said. “He will.”

“You might want to move him into your room tonight to keep a close eye on him,” he replied. “Just in case he does vomit or the headache gets worse.”

“We’ll do that,” she told him.

“I’m going to leave two bottles of medicine for him,” he said handing them to Victoria. “One is for the headache and the other one is for his nausea. If he gets worse or the medicine won’t help, come get me.”

“All right,” she replied.

After the doctor left, Tom and Victoria looked at their son. Jarrod was resting and they knew had it not been for Nick, they could have lost him. Nick walked inside.

“How Jay?” he asked.

“He’s going to be fine,” she answered. “Come here Nick.”

Nick walked over to her. She hugged him tightly.

“You are a hero sweetheart,” she said. “You saved your brother’s life.”

“I did?” Nick asked.

“Yes son,” Tom answered. “You told us that Jarrod had fallen and hurt his head. I rode to town and brought the doctor here. He said that Jarrod had another concussion.”

“It bad,” Nick said.

“He’s going to be fine thanks to you,” he replied.

“That good,” Nick replied turning to leave.

“Son,” he told him, “we wanted to know if you would do us a favor in the future.”

“What?” Nick asked.

“If you ever feel that Jarrod is hurt or sick,” she answered, “we want you to come tell us.”

“I will,” Nick said smiling.

“Good,” she replied also smiling. “Jarrod is going to sleep in our room tonight.”

“I know,” Nick told her. “I heard doc.”

“All right,” she said.

Chapter Fourteen

That evening, Tom carried Jarrod into their bedroom. He didn’t even wake up when he laid him down on their bed.

“He evidentially hasn’t slept very much over the past week,” she said. “He must be exhausted.”

“Yes I agree,” he replied looking at Jarrod. “I’m going to work in the study for a while. If you need me, just call.”

“I will,” she told him as he left the room.

Victoria didn’t even change Jarrod’s clothes. She didn’t want to disturb him. She sat down in a rocking chair near the bed and read. Every few minutes she would stop, looking over at Jarrod, but he never moved.

“How is he?” Tom asked as he walked in about midnight.

“No change,” she answered. “He still hasn’t moved. I didn’t have the heart to change his clothes. I thought it might wake him up.”

“He does look so peaceful,” Tom said smiling. “I just wish he had told us about the fall.”

“I guess he was afraid,” she replied smiling. “Thanks to Nick, he’s going to be fine.”

“Yes,” he told her. “Our sons are wonderful and they are bonded for life.”

“I agree,” she said.

Jarrod woke up sometime during the wee hours of the morning, sick. He looked around the unfamiliar room and then cried out for Tom.

“Father,” he cried. “Father.”

Tom rolled over, sitting up.

“I’m right here Jarrod,” he said. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to be sick,” Jarrod replied starting to vomit.

“Victoria,” he told his wife, “Jarrod’s sick.”

Victoria rose from the bed, retrieving something for Jarrod to vomit into. She sat down on the bed laying his head on her lap, rubbing his back.

“It’s all right,” she said. “The doctor said that you might be sick.”

Jarrod was now crying as his head began to throb more. Tom watched as his son tried to handle the pain.

“Son,” he said, “it’ll stop in a few minutes.”

After thirty minutes, the vomiting stopped. Victoria gave him a spoonful of each of the two bottles of medicine the doctor had left. Jarrod closed his eyes and went back to sleep. But Tom couldn’t. He sat there watching his son, worried that Jarrod would not get better.

“Tom,” she said seeing the worry on his face, “Jarrod’s going to be fine.”

“I hope so,” he replied. “But it’s just so hard seeing him in such agony that could have been prevented if he had only told us.”

“He was just afraid,” she told him. “I can understand why.”

“So can I,” he said. “But he’s had two falls within a week of each other. What if they have caused some kind of problem that we don’t even know about?”

“I have heard about concussions but I don’t know enough about them to answer your question,” she answered. “Let’s just take it a day at a time and see what happens.”

“All right,” he said. “But I’m still very worried.”

“Frankly,” she replied, “so am I.”

Chapter Fifteen

The next morning, Jarrod finally opened his eyes. He was still very sick but he was awake.

“How do you feel son?” Tom asked as he sat on the bed.

“My head still hurts,” he answered. “And I am still sick on my stomach.”

“I’m sure all that will pass,” she said sitting on the other side of Jarrod. “You’ve had several rough days.”

“I guess you’re mad at me,” he replied.

“We’re not angry at you,” Tom told him. “We’re just sad that you didn’t come and tell us when you fell in your room.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t want to be punished anymore. But the pain wouldn’t go away. The more I tried the worse it got.”

“Well,” she replied, “that’s behind us now. We want you to sleep. The doctor said you need to stay quiet for a few days.”

“Don’t worry,” he told them. “I’m not going to move. I don’t want my head to hurt any more.”

“Jarrod,” Tom said as he sat down beside his son, “you are a very lucky boy. You could have been seriously hurt. Do you realize that?”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod replied. “I’m sorry.”

“Well,” Tom told him, “after you’re better, we’re going to have to deal with the fact that you didn’t tell us about the second fall.”

“I know sir,” Jarrod said. “I’ll take whatever punishment you see fit to give me.”

“I think you’ve been punished enough,” he replied. “What I meant was that we would sit down and talk about what happened. I want your word that if anything like this happens again, you’ll tell us.”

“Yes sir,” Jarrod told him.

“Honey,” she said sitting on the other side, “I want you to rest.”

“I’ll try,” Jarrod replied closing his eyes.

“Tom,” she told him looking up, “we can scold him later when he’s better. Right now he needs our love and support.”

“You’re right,” he said.

That afternoon, the doctor came by. He examined Jarrod and looked up at Tom and Victoria.

“It’s healing nicely,” he said smiling. “I want him to stay quiet a few days but it looks like he is going to make a full recovery. He’s a very lucky boy.”

“Thanks doc,” Tom replied also smiling.

After spending the next couple of days in bed, Jarrod recovered. He always told his parents if he got hurt. He didn’t want to end up in bed again. He owed his life to his brother Nick.

THE END