As The Woe Turns: A World Before Woe

An Unsteady Truce W.A

Pugsley limped back towards the house. He
wasn't really hurt. Shocked, surprised, alarmed even, but not hurt badly. Other than the 'bomb,' it was just another day. He crested the stairs that led to their doorstep then stopped. Pugsley glanced up at the window above him. It was empty. Good. Maybe Wednesday hadn't seen or heard the taunts as he exited the bus. Never show weakness. At least never show that the words hurt. He was an Addams after all. Right?

As he stood there gazing up at his sister's window Pugsley coughed out a little puff of smoke. He knew Wednesday had set the 'bomb'. Probably even knew why. He would definitely have done the same thing had their positions been reversed. To cheer her up of course. Honestly he wished she had just left the swim team alone. Things were already hard enough for him. Nothing had changed, except now she wasn't in school with him anymore. He took a deep breath and reached for the door knob. Before he could make solid contact with it, the door flew open. Morticia stood looking at her younger child. She sighed. He was singed, covered in black dirt and soot, and he was still smoking.

Morticia put her hands on his shoulders. "Wednesday?" She questioned. Pugsley shrugged. "It's nothing. I'm fine mom. Promise." Morticia huffed. She cocked an eyebrow and smiled wryly at her son. She then turned on her heels striding back into the house. Lurch handed her the stack of envelopes. She thanked him. He handed the package to Pugsley. It was leaking something putrid. Pugsley beamed, and headed towards his room. Lurch disappeared back into the kitchen with a shake of his head and a groan under his breath.

Morticia thumbed through the mail. The stack held much of the usual. There were letters from distant relatives. Nothing from Fester of course. Cease and desist letters. Noise ordinance violations. Fines to be paid. More court papers for Wednesday. The DA and the court had talked to Dalton's family. They agreed to drop the attempted murder charges as long as she was into a new school by the end of the month. She would have to attend school regularly and keep her grades up. She would also once again have to attend regular therapy sessions. Morticia sighed. They'd have to have that discussion before too long. Wednesday also had to stay out of anymore trouble until she graduated. Two years after this one was completed. The terms had already been agreed upon and accepted on her behalf by her lawyer, one Gomez L. Addams Esq. Wednesday never would have agreed to them had she been of age.

Morticia put the letters and court papers to the side. Something else had caught her eye. A rather stunning brochure. Gothic architecture mixed with more than a hint of dark academia set in picturesque rural Vermont. The picture on the cover was so vivid Morticia could almost smell the mildew and damp earth. Nevermore.

The word slipped between Morticia's lips with the nostalgia of a thousand suns. Morticia's breath caught. She placed a hand upon her chest. Her eyes widened. Why hadn't they thought of it before? Nevermore. It was painfully obvious. It was the answer to everything. Yet it had gone unmentioned. Like a curse had been brought against it. Wednesday perhaps? Without a doubt, this was it. Wednesday would attend Nevermore.

"Gomez darling." Morticia called. "Yes mi amore" he asked poking his head out of his office. "Could you come here please?" She asked. Her tone rather serious. "Wednesday." She also called out. Wednesday slowly and purposefully descended the staircase. She entered the room nonchalantly with her hands clasped behind her back. "Mother." She nodded. "You rang?" She asked sarcastically. Morticia shot her a disapproving look. Gomes entered seconds behind his beloved daughter followed by thing. He was whipping his hands on the legs of his trousers. "We were arm wrestlers." Gomez offered. "He cheats." Thing signed. Morticia cleared her throat. Gomez looked at Morticia questioningly. She handed him the brochure. His breath caught. His chest tightened one word was whispered. "Nevermore."

Wednesday rolled her eyes. Sometimes her parents were far too dramatic for her tastes. "You requested my presence. What is it you wanted? I was busy." She lied ignoring the scene in front of her. "
Oh Tish!" Gomez exclaimed. "Nevermore! So many wonderful memories. My time there was like no other. I spent some of the best years of my life there!" Gomez squealed. "As did I my love." Morticia replied. "It's where we fell in love." Gomez said wrapping an arm around Morticia's waist. They kissed passionately. Once they broke the kiss Gomez turned to thing. "You still remember your way around I'm sure." Thing gave a thumbs up. Gomez grinned.