Family Diner

Because his grandson Mitch had made his debut as a baseball player on Saturday March 14 1998 Ben Cartwright decided to celebrate that with a special dinner at the Ponderosa ranch. The day after that the Chinese cook Hop Sing was busy with the evening dinner. That is: preparing with the snacks.

The brothers were busy with some chores and Mitch played at the yard. He hit a tennis ball away and his dog Cody brought it back. Suddenly Mitch hit the ball away but he got it back as fast as it was thrown back. That was done by Jim Wilson, a new hand at the ranch. The ball came to the forehead of the young Cartwright and then especially to the right side.

Jim came to him, gave him another smack and asked angry, “Now you stop with that stupid throwing game. Otherwise you will get more black and blue spots. Understood brat?”

Mitch nodded shy. Jim walked away satisfied.

By suppertime the Cartwrights came inside. The dinner table was already set with dishes with pieces of meat, potato and sauces. There were also a few bowls with batter and eggs. Also there were 2 gourmet sets so that everyone could cook for themselves.

“Cartwrights to table. Enjoy the meal”, said Hop Sing.

“Thanks Hop Sing. That won’t be a problem for sure”, answered Ben.

Hoss came to stand by it too and became very hungry already. But that also went for his brothers Adam and Joe. Mitch went to sit down on his place silently.

Quite soon the 2 gourmet sets were warm and the first snacks got put on it.

“Gentlemen, this special dinner is in honor of the baseball debut of Mitch”, said Ben.

“On your talent Mitch”, Adam said smiling.

There was a toast but Mitch got up and ran outside. Adam put down his glass being amazed and ran after him. He found his son on the porch nearly crying.

Adam picked him up and put the boy on the table.

“What has happened?”, Adam asked looking at him and leaning on the table.

Mitch first swallowed and answered then, “I played with Cody when that new hand came to me being angry, hit me and threatened that I would get more black and blue spots if I didn’t stop with that dumb game according to him. Besides he threw the ball against my head.”

He showed the black and blue bruise.

Adam checked the black and blue spot and asked, “It’s a bit black and blue. Do you have a headache?”

“A little bit”, said the boy.

“Are you coming to eat before your uncle Hoss has eaten everything?”, asked Adam.

Mitch nodded. Adam lifted him up and carried him inside.

Back at the table the others of course looked at the boy.

“Mitch, why did you leave the table?”, Ben wanted to know.

Hesitating his grandson told everything and showed the black and blue spot. Meanwhile the food got baked for him.

“Mitch, we will arrange this. This dinner is in honor of you so enjoy it”, said the rancher.

Mitch nodded and ate his 1^st portion. Then he saw that there was also pancake batter.

“Daddy, make a small pancake for me”, he said.

Adam did that and had one himself too. The other Cartwrights are more than enough too.

It was very cozy at the table. At a certain moment Joe baked an egg for himself but he wasn’t really paying attention to it. Suddenly the yolk jumped out of the pan and right on the plate of his nephew’s. Ben, Adam and Hoss did see it but didn’t say anything to Joe. Adam nudged his son and pointed at it. Quickly Mitch ate the yolk.

Hoss looked into the pan and asked, “Little Joe, do you always bake an egg without yolk?”

Joe looked into his pan and saw that his yolk had disappeared.

“Where ahs my yolk gone to?”, he asked amazed.

He looked right away at Hoss but this one reacted with, “Don’t look at me but at that little thing over there.”

“Mitch, have you eaten my egg yolk?”, asked Joe.

“It was on my plate so it was mine”, answered his nephew.

Everybody except Joe laughed. But by this the boy got watched closer than before.

“Pa, we must do this more often”, Hoss said when it was nearly done.

“Hoss, be assured because we will do this more often”, answered Ben.

“I don’t want anything anymore”, Mitch said with a soft voice.

“Has the headache become worse?”, Adam asked concerned.

Mitch nodded.

“I bring you to bed and put a wet wash cloth on your forehead”, said Adam.

They got up and went upstairs. The others ate further until all dishes were empty.

Quite soon Mitch was sleeping but Adam remained by him waking. Meanwhile Hoss and Joe helped with cleaning up and doing the dishes.

“Hop Sing, do we eat tomorrow again gourmet?”, Hoss asked hopeful.

“Cartwrights get tomorrow normal mash, no gourmet”, answered the cook.

This was a disappointment for the brothers but they also understood it.

Ben went to the bunk house and sais to the hands, “This afternoon my grandson got hit by one of you without a reason. If this happens once more this person gets fired without any reason. I hope that you all understood this well.”

The hands nodded and knew that it was serious. Hereby especially Mitch got left alone.