CONFESSIONS

Mitch Cartwright was up against a wall for his exam year. He always had been bothered by fear of failure and now his year of exams was coming up that became worse. His father Adam Cartwright noticed that as first.

One morning Mitch asked, “Daddy, may I quit school?”

“Why? You do want to go to the art academy after your final exams, don’t you?”, Adam asked amazed.

“Of course I do but I will fail my final exam anyway. So no art academy too”, answered his eldest son.

Adam grabbed him tight and said, “I know for sure that next year you will holding your diploma in your hands. You know that we can and will help you.”

“I know that but I won’t succeed anyway”, answered the boy.

Then Adam came with a suggestion, “And what if there is a reward opposite it? I mean: you just do this school year. And if you pass or fail: I pay a vacation somewhere abroad for you and Matthew. You may determine self where to.”

“Alright. But keep in account that you will save money”, was the reaction of Mitch.

“Son, I just do that when I leave your mother and little sisters at home. Women are champion shopping. So remember that when you go steady with someone”, Adam said warning.

“I will remember it”, answered Mitch.

Though he wasn’t very sure that he would make it. Adam noticed that but couldn’t do anything to take away that unsure feeling. How much he would liked it to.

By the end of the summer vacation Mitch was with Matthew at home.

“Where are you going after this school?”, Mitch suddenly asked.

“I go to New York to study law. You are going to the art academy, aren’t you?”, Matthew wanted to know.

“If I make it yes. But my pa lets us go on vacation abroad on his money. We may determine where to ourselves”, said Mitch.

“That is great. My parents have been on honeymoon to the Netherlands went. They had it very nice there”, told Matthew.

“Yes, so nice that you later came to join them”, his friend laughed.

Matthew reacted with, “That your parents went on a cultural honeymoon and for that got you as a culture barbarian is also a mystery.”

They laughed. Matthew searched the info site about the Netherlands and showed it to Mitch. The boys found it powerfully interesting and their choice was made.

When they discovered fairytale park The Efteling Mitch said, “We are going to that definitely. But I am not going into those scary roller coasters. Only I am afraid that we will have to bring back some souvenirs for our families.”

“I am afraid for that too“, agreed Matthew.

Mitch remarked, “We must take an extra learning subject along too.”

“How do you mean?”, Matthew asked amazed.

“The Dutch language. They do speak English well but of course not everyone. So that’s why we are going to learn Dutch”, Mitch explained.

His friend agreed.

Then the young Cartwright became serious and he said, ”If it gets too busy at my place could I be learning here? At the ranch it’s sometimes such a bedlam with all those Smurfs sometimes.”

“Of course that is possible. My parents know how difficult you learn”, said Matthew.

Mitch was relieved.

Then Matthew asked, “Do you know Paul Baker?”

“Who is on ice hockey with me? Of course I know him. He is different from us. Why?”, Mitch asked amazed.

Matthew hesitated a second before he gave an answer. But when he saw that Mitch really wanted to know it the young Walker decided to tell it.

“Paul and I have a relationship with each other. I fall for boys and not for girls”, confessed Matthew.

Mitch began to smile and asked, “That’s why Paul was questioning me about you. Hoe nice for you. Do your parents know it already?”

“Yes. I have told them after Paul wanted to go steady with me. It’s no problem for them. As long as I am happy. Then they are it too. Did you know that Amy, the sister of Paul, fancies you?”, Matthew asked on his turn.

“I already had noticed something like that. During the practices with the ice hockey she comes to watch often. But every time I look at her Amy turns around quickly”, said Mitch.

Then the cell phone of Matthew rang. He answered and at his eyes Mitch saw that it was Paul.

“Mitch, Paul asks if we come to his place for a barbecue. Are you coming?”, asked Matthew.

The young Cartwright nodded and phoned home on his mobile cell phone to say that he wasn’t home for supper. Adam gave permission right away.

Mitch drove to the house of Paul and Amy. Matthew noticed that his friend was nervous.

“Don’t you dare to face Amy?”, Matthew suddenly asked.

“To tell you the truth: no! I never know if their interest is for me personally or because I am a Cartwright”, answered Mitch.

“With Paul and Amy it is because they like you so much. They also have rich parents themselves. Just like us”, said Matthew.

The reaction of Mitch was, “My parents don’t have any money because my grandpa is rich. They aren’t.”

They laughed.

Quite soon the boys had reached the villa of the Baker family. Mitch parked his Jeep inside the gates. They got out and the young Cartwright locked his car.

Paul saw Matthew, ran to him and said, “Hello darling. Nice that you are here. Hello Mitch.”

Paul and Matthew kissed each other and Mitch got a firm handshake.

After the loving full greeting the boys walked to the big backyard where the parents of Paul, Greg and Marie, were. The sister of Paul, Amy, was there too.

“Welcome boys”, said Greg.

He was busy with the barbecue and Marie with the other preparations. The boys greeted them too.

“Do you already have plans for after your final year?”, asked Paul who was a year older than Mitch and Matthew.

“I go to the art academy in San Francisco”, said Mitch.

“And I go to New York to study law”, answered Matthew.

“But first we go on vacation together in the summer to the Netherlands. Present of my father”, said Mitch.

Then Greg asked, “Where in The Netherlands?”

“We want to go to that theme park the Efteling”, answered Matthew.

“Uncle David and aunt Janet live there on bike distance. Maybe you can sleep there. And I think that Paul and Amy would like to come along too”, said Marie.

Brother and sister were looking forward to it. Especially because they expected that their parents would pay the trip for them. Otherwise they would demand it though.

“Father, you and mother will pay that trip for us, won’t you?”, Amy asked then.

“Why should we actually do that? You both earn very well. So you can pay that yourself too”, answered Greg.

“But the father of Mitch does pay for him and Matthew”, reacted Paul.

“Because they are still at school and you work”, said Marie.

“Then Cartwright can also take care of his own meal too”, said Paul.

He already wasn’t charmed of the Cartwright family and of Mitch at all. Mitch looked amazed at Paul but didn’t say anything. The young Cartwright did notice that his presence wasn’t longer wished by Paul and Amy. Paul took Matthew apart.

“I love you and I demand that you break up your friendship with Cartwright now”, said Paul.

“You love me and must I let Mitch down for that? Never”, answered Matthew.

“Are you going to tell me that we won’t be living together?”, Paul suddenly asked suave.

“No, I am going to tell you that it’s over between us. There is no one else but I can’t stand the way of your way of living. Farewell Paul”, said Matthew.

Back with the others Matthew said, “Come Mitch!”

The 2 youth friends went away.

After their departure Paul already made up a plan to take revenge on is ex. Amy noticed right away that her brother was dumped.

“I know how you can hurt that Cartwright. Matthew Walker is his best friend and they are too much together for my wishes. Hereby Matthew is neglecting me. With our club we give a party for Matthew. I dare to bet that Cartwright comes too. We make him drunk and make his car so unsafe that Cartwright crashes”, said Paul.

“So that you have Matthew again totally for yourself? Great plan!”, said Amy.

They worked out the murder plan further.

It was September 5 2011 when the lives of the families Cartwright and Walker got messed up quite well. That was due to the eldest grandson of Ponderosa ranch owner Ben Cartwright, 18 year old Mitch.

Mitch was with his very best and youth friend Matthew at a party which was given by the ex-boyfriend of Matthew, Paul Baker. Here were also other friends of Paul who didn’t feel much for Mitch. One of those boys was Brendan Taylor.

At a certain moment he came up to the young Cartwright toe and asked him, “What are you doing here anyway?”

“I am here because Matthew took me along as introduce. Do you object?”, asked Mitch.

“Of course I object to this. This is a young gentlemen club with a very good name and reputation. And we don’t let farmer boys like you in. So piss off!”, snarled Brendan.

Mitch said sarcastic, “Hearing your language you are a bigger farmer boy than I am. Even though I live at the biggest ranch of Nevada.”

Of course Brendan didn’t know what to say back and he walked away angry. Paul saw him coming and suspected problems.

Brendan asked whispering, “Which car is of that farmer boy?”

“Which farmer boy? You mean Cartwright?“, asked Paul.

Brendan nodded.

“There is only 1 ugly and cheap car at the parking lot and that is that Jeep Cherokee. Just make him unfit to drive. Then I make Cartwright loaded so that he crashes. Matthew goes home with me anyway”, answered Paul.

Brendan went outside with Barry Parker and went to tinker at the car of Mitch. Quite soon they had found the vehicle and did what they had planned to.

In a corner Paul made a special cocktail for Mitch. There was about 90% alcohol in it because Paul knew that Mitch never drank alcohol. Fortunately nobody saw what Paul did. When the cocktail was ready and Brendan and Barry too Paul went with the drink to Mitch and Matthew who sat outside on the terrace.

“Hello darling and Mick, are you entertaining yourselves a bit?”, Paul asked extremely polite.

“Paula, I am called Mitch and not Mick. I have been to nicer parties that this children’s party”, answered Mitch.

“Unfortunately I must agree with Mitch. Are all your friends like this?”, asked Matthew.

“Matthew, I will take care that you will feel at home too into my wonderful world. Then you really don’t need a friend like him”, the host answered on a stuck-up tone.

Mitch and Matthew looked at each other amazed.

“Paul, you are not going to tell me that I must go and choose between my very best and youth friend or my ex-lover? Then I do know what the answer is“, said Matthew.

Paul felt look foolish and answered laughing, “I do know that you will choose for our future together.”

He kept silent for a second and said then while he gave Mitch the cocktail, “Mitch, take this drink and my well meant apology.”

Mitch accepted the drink and Paul made sure that he got away. The young Cartwright emptied the glass in 1 sip and didn’t feel alright.

“Matt, I must puke”, said Mitch.

He got up and walked to an empty flower box. Mitch puked quite a lot and became then dizzy.

“Is it going to be alright with you?”, Matthew asked concerned.

“No, I’m going home. Are you coming?”, Mitch asked on his turn.

His friend nodded and supported him to the exit.

“Sweetie pie, are you going away already? Soon it becomes cozy”, said Paul.

“Paul, it’s over between us for a long time and you know that”, said Matthew.

“Shut up wimp”, Mitch groaned where after he puked again across the expensive shoes of Brendan.

The 2 friends went away quickly.

“Shall I drive? You have been drinking. Besides you don’t look so healthy”, said Matthew.

“Alright”, Mitch said where after he puked again but now on the car of Barry Parker.

Matthew started the Jeep and drove away from the parking lot.

“Mitch, Those friends of Paul are really nothing for us. Then I rather remain single”, said Matthew.

“You will run into the real one. Look at my uncle Joe. No single girl was safe for him and now he also has become a good family man. Just take me home”, answered Mitch.

Paul got his cell phone and called the sheriff.

“Deputy, on the road to Virginia City drives a loaded boy around in a black Jeep Cherokee. I fear for the life of the passenger in the car”, Paul said to Clem who took the call.

Paul didn’t say his name but the deputy let trace the phone call. And with success. He already had to deal often with Paul and Amy Baker.

Exactly on the spot where on November 26 1993 Mary Cartwright found the death Matthew lost control over the wheel. He crashed a guard rail and came to standing still. The young Walker fell unconscious on the wheel while Mitch on the passenger’s seat also became unconscious by a smack against the car door.

Deputy Clem Foster discovered the Jeep as 1^st because he was just driving around. There had been coming in a call that a boy drove around reckless under influence on the road in a black Jeep Cherokee. He passed on the message and saw then by co incidence the car of Adam Cartwright coming. Adam stopped.

“Adam, I need your help. Your son Mitch is unconscious and Matthew injured”, said Clem.

Because Clem had identified the boys his boss sheriff Roy Coffee could go and tell the parents of Matthew, Dan and Laura Walker, that their only son has had an accident.

Roy stopped his car in front of their house and rang the bell. Dan answered the door.

“Sheriff, come in. What can we do for you?”, he asked.

“Is Laura there too?”, asked Roy.

“She is in the living room”, Dan said non-understanding.

They walked to the living room and sat down.

“Clem found Matthew injured in the Jeep of Mitch Cartwright. Apparently is the young Walker rode against a road fence and has gotten an accident by that. Mitch is unconscious but it isn’t know yet how he is. They are at the hospital.”, said Roy.

Laura began to sob and Dan felt also shocked by the terrible news. They went to the hospital where Matthew laid with a broken leg.

Mitch woke up at the hospital with his parents Adam and Sally Cartwright by his bedside.

“Daddy, mom, where am I? What has happened?”, the boy asked confused.

“You are in the hospital because you and Matt have had a car accident. You have been to a party of the friend of Matt’s. Matt has survived the accident too”, said Adam.

“Matt is injured too? Then Paul has to do with it and his mean buddies too. I recognized there at that party that miserable Barry Parker. He didn’t recognized me fortunately”, Mitch answered deeply shocked.

He wanted to get up but Sally stopped him.

“You remain in bed because you have a heavy brain concussion and a broken wrist”, she said on a determined tone.

Father and son Cartwright knew when Sally spoke on that tone that she really meant it. So she did that now too.

“You are going to rest and we will look into this case further. We will come to see you again tonight”, said Adam.

Mitch fell asleep so that his parents went away.

Meanwhile Paul, his sister Amy and their parents had also heard the news.

“Sheriff, you must arrest that Mitch Cartwright a t once. He was loaded when he and Matthew left. Matthew rather wanted to stay with me but that wasn’t allowed of Cartwright!”, Paul said upset.

Roy asked, “I know Mitch Cartwright very well and he also knows that he’s not allowed to drink alcohol yet and won’t do that either. What sort of drink did Mitch have to drink at that party? Before he left I mean. You should know that, shouldn’t you?”

Paul answered, “Mitch asked for a cocktail with at least 90% alcohol in it. I gave him that with reluctance.”

“Is that Mitch Cartwright now going to prison for good?”, Amy asked.

“We can’t say that yet”, Roy said where after he went away.

Dan and Laura left with their son Virginia City and moved to San Francisco.

“Pa and ma, I must confess to you that I have been crazy about Mitch for years and I want to spend my life with him”, Matthew said shortly after the move.

“Does Mitch know this too?”, asked Laura.

“No, but I do know that he can’t be without me”, said her son.

Dan advised, “I suggest that you are going to tell him this. He can reject you. But as far as I know Mitch he won’t do that.”

But Matthew wasn’t ready yet for this confrontation.

Shortly after his discharge from the hospital Mitch went with his parents back to San Francisco. The boy had changed since the accident. He was silent and very much distant from his family.

It was early December and still the eldest son of Adam Cartwright hadn’t said what he wanted to have for his birthday and Christmas.

“Mitch, what do you want to have for your 19^th birthday?”, Sally asked one morning.

“I want to have this one for my Christmas and birthday”, answered Mitch.

He showed a picture of a black Yamaha motorcycle.

“You really won’t get it. I forbid it and your father too”, Sally said determined.

Mitch looked up strange and asked amazed, “Why will daddy forbid it too?”

“I just know. Just think of something else for presents”, said Sally.

“And if Benji asks for a motorcycle for his 19^th he gets one of course”, Mitch claimed.

“No way. Mitchell, this subject is closed. I don’t want that you start about a motorcycle ever again. Understood?”, Sally asked strict.

“Understood”, answered her stepson.

Mitch left the house and went to the beach to be alone.

By evening time Adam came home. He did see his 3 youngest children but not his eldest.

“Sally, where is Mitch?”, Adam asked worried.

“He left the house after our row about his present for his birthday and Christmas. Your oldest son wants to have a black Yamaha motorcycle when he becomes 19. I said that it wasn’t going to be so and that you don’t agree with it”, answered Sally.

She showed the picture of the wanted motorcycle.

“Beautiful thing. Have you also told why he doesn’t get it?”, Adam asked carefully.

“No. When I was 18 my boyfriend had one just like that one. We had plans to get engaged on June 1. But on his way to me he got a deadly accident with his motorcycle. Then I resolved myself that one of my children, own and/or step, ever would get a motorcycle. They also may not buy one of their own money”, Sally said.

Adam kept silent for a moment because he had to get over this for a second.

Then he said, “If you tell it to Mitch he will understand. But to get out of this we have to draw 1 line.”

“No is no and he knows that damn well. But he will be playing you”, said Sally.

“He can try that but this time it won’t work”, answered Adam.

He couldn’t remember a time when he and Mitch had a row.

On the beach it was quiet so Mitch could think everything over without getting disturbed by anyone. Through his thoughts went:‘Daddy will take her side and not mine. If that happens I leave home. He can’t do anything to it because he was 18 himself when he left home.’

Just very late that evening Mitch came home. His little brother and sisters were already sleeping but Adam and Sally were still up.

“Do you know what time it is young man?”, Adam asked stern.

Mitch answered, “Same time as yesterday, only 24 hours later.”

“Stop it because you are not funny! Leaving without saying where to. We were deadly worried”, Adam said hurt.

The boy noticed that his father really meant it and knew that he had to keep silent now.

Though he said, “She probably has told you about what I want to get for my birthday and Christmas? Not that I get it of course.”

“I know about it and the answer is no!”, Adam said on a stern and angry tone.

“My decision has been made: I leave home”, Mitch reacted fierce.

He went upstairs and packed his stuff. Not much later the young Cartwright left the house. He threw his luggage into his Jeep and drove away quickly.

In the living room Sally said, “Mitch will come back in mercy. Phone your father and tell him everything. There is a big chance that Mitch is going there.”

Adam directly phoned to the Ponderosa and got first his birthday brother on the phone. He congratulated him and got then their father on the phone. Adam told about the row with Mitch.

“Adam, if I may be honest you can’t say anything about that Mitch leaves home. You were 18 yourself when you went to Boston. He is now 18, almost 19”, said Ben.

“It didn’t play then that I wanted a motorcycle for my birthday. He wants it though we are against it”, said Adam.

“I will pass it on to him when Mitch arrives here”, said Ben.

“Pa, tell him that he doesn’t come in here before he apologizes to us”, said his eldest son.

“That will happen”, said the rancher where after he hung up.

Adam had a sleepless night following the evening that Mitch had left the house in a hurry. He got up at 3 o’clock and searched through the laptop of his oldest thoroughly. In is hurry to get away Mitch had forgotten to take the thing along. Suddenly Adam discovered quite a lot of hate mails sent by only 2 persons: Paul and Amy Baker. Slowly Adam began to understand the strange behavior of Mitch.

During the long and lonely car trip Mitch had a lot of time and opportunity to think about his new future. He surely didn’t need his father and stepmother. Going to the Ponderosa was an option but Mitch knew that Adam had told his father already. Mitch also had some family in Miles City, Montana. But the boy didn’t know where exactly so that possibility was dropped. Finally Mitch decided to go to the ranch where he was born and raised.

Mitch drove all through the night until he drove upon the yard of the Ponderosa. It was 5 o’clock in the morning but yet everyone was up. The young Cartwright remained seated behind the wheel for a moment. He doubted if he would go inside or not.

Inside the ranch house Ben heard the Jeep of his grandson coming. The rancher came outside and saw Mitch sitting behind the wheel. Apparently he was so deep in thoughts that Mitch didn’t even notice that Ben had walked up to the car.

The rancher opened the car door and said, “Morning Mitch. Welcome to the Ponderosa.”

“Oh erm morning grandpa. My father has called all along and asked to refuse me, hasn’t he?”, Mitch asked worried.

“Your father has called indeed but he didn’t say that I had to refuse you. That has never happened and will never happen either. Fancy breakfast?”, asked Ben.

Mitch nodded, got out and walked along with his grandpa. The rancher noticed that his eldest grandson was in deep trouble. The boy looked away and hardly said anything.

Of course everyone wanted to know why Mitch was at the ranch again and alone. But he maintained a silence story. The wives of Hoss and Joe, Betsy and Paula, brought the children to school and went after that extra long shopping. That happened after breakfast. Ben, Hoss and Joe took Mitch to the living room to talk in peace and quiet.

“Mitch, what’s the reason why you left home?”, asked Ben.

“I can’t talk to parents anymore. They just don’t have time for me anymore but for those Smurfs. Yesterday mom asked me what I wanted to have for my birthday and Christmas. I said that I wanted a black Yamaha motorcycle. She refused that to say why. We got a row and I went to the beach till 11 in the evening. When coming home I got a cross examination where after I packed my stuff and left”, Mitch answered.

“I have said to your father that I would phone him when you were here. He said that you may not come home before you have apologized to Adam and Sally”, said Ben.

“Then they won’t see me ever again. Just let them be happy with their 3 children”, answered Mitch.

“You really don’t mean that. Or is there more playing?”, asked Joe.

Mitch hesitated to give an answer.

“I keep getting hate mails from Paul Baker. And only because I have taken his lover Matthew according to him”, he said finally.

“It was an accident. The parents of Matt don’t blame you anything. Tests have shown out that there had been tinkering with your car and also that you had a lot of alcohol in your blood”, said Hoss.

“Then that must have been in that cocktail which Pail had made especially for me. I don’t even like beer or any other alcoholic drink”, his nephew reacted.

He hardly could keep his eyes open what the men noticed.

“Mitch, you take a shower and go to bed after that. Your uncles get your stuff and put your Jeep into the garage. We will arrange it further”, said Ben.

The boy agreed and his uncles too.

Mitch took a shower and fell fast asleep shortly after that. Hoss and Joe made sure that the stuff of their nephew came inside and that his Jeep came parked into the big garage.

After Mitch had come home he went after his sleep to the cemetery of his family. At the graves of his mother Mary Cartwright and dog Cody the boy sat down.

“Momma, Cody, I miss you so very much. Here at the ranch nobody understands me and daddy lives nicely with his 2^nd wife in San Francisco. They have no need for me and my problems. I dare to bet that if I get found dead daddy doesn’t even come here for the funeral. My stepmother doesn’t talk to me anymore since I asked for a motorcycle for my birthday. Daddy supports her so I left home. That was on December 10. Since then I have not seen them. I don’t feel the need to be in touch in with them. Perhaps it was better if I, with you momma, also had died in that car accident”, Mitch said to the 2 tombstones.

In mutual agreement Ben decided that Mitch lived with him at the ranch for the time being. A condition was that the boy also worked at the Ponderosa which Mitch promised and did.

The eldest uncle of Mitch, Hoss, felt sorry for him. Mitch was very gloomy and did his chore in silence. Even Joe, the youngest uncle of Mitch, didn’t recognize him anymore.

Though one day the grownup Cartwrights noticed that Mitch was behaving very aggressive all of a sudden. A hired hand, Kevin Tucker, was harassing him very much.

“Can’t you handle heavy work?”, asked the hand.

Mitch didn’t give an answer so that Kevin asked it again. But now at a more pesty tone. Kevin even gave Mitch a poke in his side. Mitch stopped with his work and began to fight with his bully. Quite soon Kevin got the worst of it but that was because Hoss and his younger brother Joe separated the 2 brawlers.

“Stop it both you! The others back to work. Tucker, you go to pa! Mitchy, you remain by me”, Hoss said at an angry tone.

Joe dragged Kevin inside while Hoss saddled his horse and let his nephew do that too.

“You know that I’m afraid of horses. Why are you doing this to me then?”, Mitch asked furious.

“Because I want to talk to you without anyone near us. Saddle that jade and right away now”, Hoss said a strict tone.

Mitch saddled his horse and mounted on, just like his uncle. They left the yard.

“What was the reason for that brawl?”, Hoss asked when they had rode a while.

Mitch didn’t give an answer until his uncle asked it on a bit stricter tone.

“Tucker began to pester me. I don’t have to take that. From nobody!”, Mitch answered angry.

“Of course not. But you don’t have to start a fight with someone right away”, said Hoss.

Mitch understood that too but he refused to say about exactly was bothering him.

To give his nephew distraction Hoss took Mitch along to friends of him, David and Sara Simpson.

“The wallpaper must be removed in totally. There is a reward for it. We are back in about an hour”, David said.

He and his wife went away.

“Mitchy, realize yourself in your work with tearing the wallpaper”, said Hoss.

The by looked at him.

“They said it to you, not me”, Mitch reacted.

“I’m older than you so I say that you must do it”, said Hoss.

He grabbed a beer and went to sit like a prince at the swimming pool. Mitch went to work and cooled his anger of fat the wallpaper. In less than an hour there was no more on the wall and everything laid on the ground. The young Cartwright was also covered with it. But his angry mood was over.

Hoss was enjoying the winter sun with his eyes closed. So he didn’t see that David and Sara came home again. David coughed for a second and his friend got a big shock.

“Hoss Cartwright! Why aren’t you removing the wallpaper from our hallway?”, Sara asked strict.

“My little nephew does that”, Hoss answered who realized that he was in trouble.

David and Sara went to look and saw how their hallway was covered with old newspapers and wallpaper.

“Mitch, you are not going to tell us that you had to do this all alone, are you?”, David asked carefully.

“Yes, uncle Hoss grabbed a beer out of the fridge and went to sit by the swimming pool”, answered the boy.

The couple looked at each other and their thoughts were 1.

“Mitch, actually the reward for this work was for your uncle. But because you have done it you get the reward from us. A book voucher of 25 dollars. Here you are”, Sara said while she gave the book voucher to the young Cartwright.

“But who cleans up this mess?”, asked David.

“Uncle Hoss. He is rested anyway and then I can recover from this heavy work”, answered Mitch.

“That’s a good idea. You know what Mitch? Tear those big pieces in more little pieces. Then your uncle has more work to do”, David advised.

Mitch loved to do that.

Hoss got to hear from Sara, “Hoss, Cartwright, you may clean up all the mess which your nephew has made. Go ahead.”

She kept on looking stern at him so Hoss had to go to work. He cleaned up the hallway mumbling. Now Mitch could relax in the garden.

A few days later.

Meanwhile Adam had printed out all the hate mails and taken along to the ranch. He showed all the hate mails to his father. Of course Ben was also deeply shocked.

“Just show this to the sheriff and deputy”, said the rancher.

Adam did that and Hoss went along as witness.

Roy looked through the mails and wrote then an arrest warrant for Paul Baker.

“That one is soon enough behind bars”, said Roy.

“I’m going to look for Mitch”, said Clem.

They left and Hoss took his brother out for a beer.

At the side of the road stood the Jeep of Mitch. He sat behind the wheel and Amy Baker sat next to him.

“We have nothing to say to each other. I know that your brother sends all those hate mails to me”, Mitch said to break the silence.

“You know that I’m pregnant. It’s your child”, Amy lied.

“We never slept together so you are lying once again”, Mitch reacted.

“I don’t do that! You may not hurt me because I’m now very fragile”, Amy snarled.

She got her pocket knife and slashed the right wrist of Mitch. With his left hand Mitch tried to get the knife away but Amy slashed laughing his left wrist too. In unseen moment Mitch stabbed her in her leg. Precisely at that moment Clem drove by.

With drawn revolver he said, “Get out and hands up both of you!”

Mitch kicked the car door open and fell out of the car. Amy remained seated and began to scream out of pain. Clem saw the injured wrists and offered help at once.

“Arrest that bird. She slashed my wrists”, Mitch said where after he lost his consciousness.

“Amy Baker, you are under arrest for attempting murder”, said the deputy.

“He stabbed me and slashed then his wrists. And only because he becomes a father in a while”, Amy snarled.

Clem didn’t listen and dragged he couple away. He also warned Adam and Hoss who drove straight to the hospital.

Paul got caught red-handed because Roy came into his room with the arrest warrant.

“Come Paul. You are under arrest for twice attempting murder, threating and sending of hate mail”, said the sheriff.

“Cartwright just deserved it to get that accident. He took my Matthew away from me. Besides, Cartwright made my twin sister against her will pregnant. Fortunately Amy is now killing him”, Paul said laughing.

“Nice that you confess everything now. Come on!”, said Roy.

He put the handcuffs on and dragged Paul away to horror of his parents.

At the hospital Adam and Hoss sat by the bed of Mitch. The boy had his both wrists in bandage and looked confused.

“Adam, your son really needs help from a psychiatrist urgently”, said Hoss.

Adam realized that also very well. Slowly Mitch woke up and he looked at his father and uncle.

“You are at the hospital because Amy Baker slashed your wrists. Clem had let you and her taken to the hospital. By the way, Amy is arrested for attempting murdering you”, said Hoss.

Mitch looked hazy out of his eyes and said, “My whole life is 1 big mess. And only because of that Paul Baker.”

Adam saw how bad his son looked and said, “Mitch, he’s going to jail. We are going to arrange it that you get into a private clinic helped with your depression and your problems. I have 2 sons and there is only1 who laughs all day through. That’s your little brother and I miss your laugh. The others too. Don’t you worry about the price. That’s our worry.”

“Alright daddy. I may not come home anymore, or do I?”, Mitch asked carefully.

Adam gave him a stroke across his head and said, “Are you kidding? Sally has also read those hate mails and understood why you wanted that motorcycle so eagerly.”

Then Hoss came with an idea, “If Mitchy wants to have a Yamaha motorcycle so eagerly, why don’t we give him a little miniature one? Just to show it on a shelf I mean.”

Father and son Cartwright agreed with that.

When Mitch was still at the hospital Matthew dropped in unexpected.

“Mitch, I have something to confess to you”, Matthew said seriously.

Mitch went to sit and looked at his friend questionable.

“I have discovered that you are the only true one for me. Would you like to spend your life with me? As partners I mean”, Matthew said hesitating.

“You mean as partners like our parents live?”, Mitch asked for the security.

His friend nodded.

“The answer is yes”, the young Cartwright said smiling.

“First I go to a private clinic to get rid of my depression for a while”, he said a bit later on.

Matthew said, “I live now in San Francisco and can play as catcher with the San Francisco Kings. Until you are back with me I will wait for you.”

Now he had declared his love to Matthew Mitch still had to tell his parents that he too fell for boys instead of girls. While he thought about how the boy could do that the best way Adam came with that himself.

One morning Dan and Laura came to the Cartwrights for coffee. The children were already off to school so that the grownups could talk in peace and quiet.

When the coffee had been served Dan asked, “How is Mitch?”

The answer of Adam was, “Quite well. He is still very confused.”

“Matt has confessed to us that he has discovered that for years he’s crazy about your eldest son”, Laura said.

Adam and Sally looked at each other amazed and questionable.

“Matt has been crazy about Mitch for years?”, Adam asked for the security.

“Yes. Matt really can’t be without Mitch anymore. We have no problems with it. But how you think about it we don’t know of course. We see Mitch as our son too”, said Dan.

Adam sighed deep and answered, “Mary and I had decided to raise Mitch as free as possible. He is even the heir of the Ponderosa. But if Mitch wants to live with Matt I have no problems with it.”

Sally said, “I don’t mind either. Benji will also like it when he gets another big brother. Since Mitch is away he has mainly girls around him. He likes that for a while but that lad also wants to do boyish things.”

Laura asked, “Matt said that Mitch told him that first he goers to a private clinic for his problems. Where is that clinic?”

“In Sacramento. Pa has arranged it. So the bill goes to him as well”, Adam answered smiling.

“That’s why you let your father arrange it?”, Dan asked teasing.

Adam nodded.

One afternoon Mitch got a visit from his father. Adam looked quite serious while he sat down.

“Daddy, what’s the matter?”, Mitch asked seriously.

“Since when do you have a relationship with Matthew Walker?”, asked Adam.

“Since he declared his love for me. I love him too and want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with him. That goes for him as well”, answered Mitch.

The dark eyes of the boy began to beam when Matthew became the subject.

“Mitch, I’m really glad for you. You have to tell it yourself your brothers and sisters that you are now with Matt. Rose probably won’t understand it but the twins might do. Sally is also pleased with it and your in-laws see you as their own son”, said Adam.

By 1 of the many connections of Ben Mitch ended up in an excellent private clinic where he got received very well.

While Mitch got treated for his depression at the clinic Adam made sure that his son could work somewhere. By his contacts as baseball coach Adam easily could find something Mitch could and liked to do. He knew that the San Francisco Kings were looking for a player who could be placed on every position.

In an official meeting with coach Steven Keller Adam told about Mitch and his baseball tale and also about his recent problems.

“So Mitch can play at every position except 2? That’s for every team very attractive. Out of experience I know that parents say very often that their child is an ace. But I have heard somewhere that a certain Mitch Cartwright pitched a no-hitter at the age of 11”, said Steven.

“That story is true because I saw it happen myself. That Mitch Cartwright is the same boy as where we started this meeting over”, Adam said smiling.

“The manager wants to have him for a long time but we didn’t get any reaction from Mitch. Now we know why. When can we expect him here?”, asked the coach.

“According to his doctors Mitch recovers well. But there is a slight chance for a relapse. Fortunately Mitch is without medication”, was Adam’s answer.

“We keep an eye on him and guide the young players well. They also get paid well. Are there more clubs who want to have him?”, asked Steven.

Adam answered, “At the age of 14 Mitch could go to the baseball school of the Carson City Diamonds. But due to a serious hand injury that was over. Then he just went to a private art academy.”

“We don’t say anything yet about his recent problems because Mitch has to be able to talk about it himself.”

Adam nodded.

Ben said to Hoss and Joe, “I want that you and your families are away this afternoon. Go with them to the zoo or something else.”

“Alright pa. But why?”, Hoss asked amazed.

“This afternoon I must discuss something important with 2 boys. And for this I want to be alone with them”, was the answer of the rancher.

He had sent an email to Matthew with a very important assignment in it.

After his discharge from the clinic Matthew was the 1^st person Mitch saw. Matthew stood by his Jeep waiting. A smile appeared on the face of the young Cartwright when he saw his beloved one. They walked up to each other.

“What am I glad to see you. Come here darling”, Mitch said.

Matthew gave his partner an embrace like Mitch never have had.

“I will make sure that you will never end up in such a clinic. I had to pick you up because your grandpa wants to tell you something. Are you coming?”, Matthew asked after the passionate greeting.

“I go with you everywhere. You drive?”, asked Mitch.

His friend nodded.

A few hours later Mitch and Matthew arrived at the Ponderosa. Ben was there alone so that the rancher could talk to the boys in all peace and quiet.

In the big living room Mitch asked worried, “Grandpa, why did we have to come here? You are disapproving our relationship, aren’t you?”

Ben looked at his grandson and answered, “Mitchell, the fact that you are also homosexual doesn’t matter to me. As long as you are happy with your partner I am that too. Matt told me that you are going to live and work in San Francisco. I have only 1 demand and that is you celebrate all holidays here at the Ponderosa. Unless your work permits it.”

The 2 friends looked at each other and Matthew answered, “We do that Mr Cartwright.”

Ben corrected the friend of his eldest grandson by saying, “Matt, for you it is from now on no more Mr Cartwright anymore but also grandpa. Understood young man?”

Matthew nodded and answered, “Alright Mr Cartwright. I mean grandpa.”

They laughed.

“But if we are prof baseball players we can’t go to the fairytale park the Efteling like we had planned”, said Matthew.

“We have arranged a vacation for you in the Winter Efteling. You stay at the same hotel. Everything is already arranged and paid for. The only thing we expect from you is that we all get a souvenir from that park”, said Ben.

“That’s promised. When do we go?”, asked Mitch.

“Just before Christmas and then you are back before the New Year”, answered the rancher.

They boys didn’t mind. To his big relief Ben noticed that his grandson was the same old one again.

After Mitch had shown what he could to the San Francisco Kings he was hired as a pitcher and 3^rd baseman he decided to tell them what has recently happened to him.

In the locker room coach Steven Keller said, “May I have your attention for a second? Mitch has something to tell you. Go ahead boy.”

Mitch swallowed for a second because he hadn’t spoken for a group for a long time.

He began to tell hesitating, “Before you might be able to read it in the press I better can tell it myself. Right before I came to play here I have been in a psychiatric clinic for 3 months. That was because the lover of my youth friend made me drunk at a boring party and we, my friend Matthew and I, got a serious accident. We both survived it. Hereby that lover gave me the blame that I had destroyed his life. But later turned out that is little friends had tinkered my car so we had to get that accident. The pestering of them which followed made sure that I almost wanted to kill myself. At the graves of my mother and dog I got the feeling that I had join them. At the edge of Virginia City my wrists got slashed by my ex. She is the twin sister of the one who let me cause the accident. The deputy of Virginia City found me and made sure that I got saved. My father arranged that I got taken into that clinic. That admission became my rescue. The only reason that I still go to the Ponderosa, the ranch of my grandpa, is that my family lives there and accepts me like I am. And I hope that you do that too.”

For a moment it was deadly silent in the locker room. Then 1^st baseman Vernon Young began to applause as 1^st and quite soon the others followed. Steven gave the young pitcher a wink as he would say, “This will be alright with you and the team.”

Short stop Lou Reddington came to Mitch and asked, “Haven’t I met you as a little lad? I believe it was late August. You hardly dared to ask for an autograph. Am I right or not?”

Mitch nodded and answered, “I was there with my uncle. The picture and autographs are still in my property.”

“Welcome to the club”, said Lou.

“Do you already have a house? Otherwise the club will arrange something for you”, said Steven.

“My parents have a house at Alamo Square. We live there since the summer of 2007. But thanks for the offer”, the young Cartwright answered.

This new challenge meant a new future for especially Mitch who now could leave a rotten time behind him.