Aftermath
folder
1 through F › The Big Valley
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
14
Views:
2,748
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
1 through F › The Big Valley
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
14
Views:
2,748
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I in no way own The Big Valley. I make no money from writing this, I just hope you have as much fun reading as I do writing.
11
Do you know what makes a good Christmas present? Reviews! ;)
When she arrived for breakfast in the morning, Victoria found an envelope beside her plate and swallowed the surge of pity when she recognized Jarrod’s painfully printed “Mother” on the front. Her son had always been so proud of his elegant penmanship and she knew how much it hurt him to have that taken away.
Victoria pulled the carefully folded sheet out of the envelope and started reading.
Dear Mother,
By now, Heath has probably explained to you that I needed to get away. I believe some time to myself might help me rid my mind of the demons that have plagued me ever since the events in Knight’s Ferry.
Your love and support means everything to me and I shall be grateful beyond words if you can give me this time to work through my problems on my own, even if you do not understand.
I carry you and the rest of the family in my heart every moment. Rest assured I will keep in touch and God willing shall be with you again someday soon.
With all my love,
Jarrod
Victoria bit her lip to fight back the tears that threatened. Jarrod was her first-born and it tore her heart that he didn’t think she could help him with what he was going through. How could she just let him go?
“He’s hoping you’ll understand.”
Victoria looked into the compassionate eyes of Jarrod’s youngest brother who had moved up beside her and then to the letter again. Jarrod had obviously talked to Heath and she knew Heath would never have let his brother leave if he didn’t think that was what Jarrod needed. “No, I don’t understand,” she admitted sadly, “not really.”
Heath sat next to her. “He needs some space. Space to come to terms with whatever happened to him without having to worry about what we think of him or how it’ll affect us.”
“Jarrod always did try keep his personal problems to himself,” she admitted. “He always felt he had to be the strong one after your father died.”
“And he can’t be that right now.” Heath studied his hands for a moment. “It’s hard for a man to admit that there’s something out there that can break him and it’s even harder to accept that your family knows it.” He gave Victoria a small grin. “And Jarrod swore he’d stay in touch. If he doesn’t, I promise I’ll take Nick and we’ll hunt him down.”
Victoria nodded. “Your brother will be in our hearts and prayers every day,” she affirmed, “and I’m holding him to what he said in his letter, that he’ll be back with us soon.”
*
*
November 17, 1873
Paskenta, California
Dear family,
As I hope you can tell by my writing, my hand has been improving. I am in good health, but I am not yet ready to resume my former life. I hope my absence has not caused too many problems; the last thing I want to do is cause you undue difficulties.
I am not sure what my plans are for the winter and I do not know if I will be home before Christmas, but rest assured I think of you often.
Love,
Jarrod
*
December 10, 1873
Corning, California
Heath,
I was very pleased to get your letter. It was not as much of a shock as you might think to find out the hard-working young cowhand who left my employ so suddenly was a son of Tom Barkley. I met your father once and you have the same drive and strength I remember in him.
As to your inquiry, I have been keeping an eye out and my ears open for word of your brother Jarrod. I did not see him myself, but a man matching his description riding a sorrel with the crooked blaze you described purchased a mule and large quantity of supplies in town last week. The clerk did not recall him mentioning where he was from or where he was going, but from his purchases, I reckon he is heading into the mountains for the winter.
I am sorry I cannot be of more help. Do not hesitate to stop by if you are ever in the area.
Sincerely,
Robert Thomas
*
December 15, 1873
Quincy, California
Dear Mother,
I regret to say I will not be home before Christmas. The weather may prevent me from sending any letters for a while, so please give my best wishes and love to the rest of the family. Know that I think of you always,
Your loving son,
Jarrod
A/N: The dates are consistent with the Big Valley timeline from “The Lost Treasure”, not the series pilot
When she arrived for breakfast in the morning, Victoria found an envelope beside her plate and swallowed the surge of pity when she recognized Jarrod’s painfully printed “Mother” on the front. Her son had always been so proud of his elegant penmanship and she knew how much it hurt him to have that taken away.
Victoria pulled the carefully folded sheet out of the envelope and started reading.
Dear Mother,
By now, Heath has probably explained to you that I needed to get away. I believe some time to myself might help me rid my mind of the demons that have plagued me ever since the events in Knight’s Ferry.
Your love and support means everything to me and I shall be grateful beyond words if you can give me this time to work through my problems on my own, even if you do not understand.
I carry you and the rest of the family in my heart every moment. Rest assured I will keep in touch and God willing shall be with you again someday soon.
With all my love,
Jarrod
Victoria bit her lip to fight back the tears that threatened. Jarrod was her first-born and it tore her heart that he didn’t think she could help him with what he was going through. How could she just let him go?
“He’s hoping you’ll understand.”
Victoria looked into the compassionate eyes of Jarrod’s youngest brother who had moved up beside her and then to the letter again. Jarrod had obviously talked to Heath and she knew Heath would never have let his brother leave if he didn’t think that was what Jarrod needed. “No, I don’t understand,” she admitted sadly, “not really.”
Heath sat next to her. “He needs some space. Space to come to terms with whatever happened to him without having to worry about what we think of him or how it’ll affect us.”
“Jarrod always did try keep his personal problems to himself,” she admitted. “He always felt he had to be the strong one after your father died.”
“And he can’t be that right now.” Heath studied his hands for a moment. “It’s hard for a man to admit that there’s something out there that can break him and it’s even harder to accept that your family knows it.” He gave Victoria a small grin. “And Jarrod swore he’d stay in touch. If he doesn’t, I promise I’ll take Nick and we’ll hunt him down.”
Victoria nodded. “Your brother will be in our hearts and prayers every day,” she affirmed, “and I’m holding him to what he said in his letter, that he’ll be back with us soon.”
*
October 25, 1873
Barkley Ranch, Stockton, CA
From Jarrod Barkley, Knoxville, CA
Am doing fine –stop- please do not worry –stop- love Jarrod –end message.
*
November 17, 1873
Paskenta, California
Dear family,
As I hope you can tell by my writing, my hand has been improving. I am in good health, but I am not yet ready to resume my former life. I hope my absence has not caused too many problems; the last thing I want to do is cause you undue difficulties.
I am not sure what my plans are for the winter and I do not know if I will be home before Christmas, but rest assured I think of you often.
Love,
Jarrod
*
December 10, 1873
Corning, California
Heath,
I was very pleased to get your letter. It was not as much of a shock as you might think to find out the hard-working young cowhand who left my employ so suddenly was a son of Tom Barkley. I met your father once and you have the same drive and strength I remember in him.
As to your inquiry, I have been keeping an eye out and my ears open for word of your brother Jarrod. I did not see him myself, but a man matching his description riding a sorrel with the crooked blaze you described purchased a mule and large quantity of supplies in town last week. The clerk did not recall him mentioning where he was from or where he was going, but from his purchases, I reckon he is heading into the mountains for the winter.
I am sorry I cannot be of more help. Do not hesitate to stop by if you are ever in the area.
Sincerely,
Robert Thomas
*
December 15, 1873
Quincy, California
Dear Mother,
I regret to say I will not be home before Christmas. The weather may prevent me from sending any letters for a while, so please give my best wishes and love to the rest of the family. Know that I think of you always,
Your loving son,
Jarrod
A/N: The dates are consistent with the Big Valley timeline from “The Lost Treasure”, not the series pilot