As The Woe Turns: A World Before Woe

Touching Family Moments(P.1 A.F)

It was Saturday morning just after breakfast. There was no work for him to focus on at the moment. Gomez Addams paced nervously in his study. He and Tish had spoken the night before. She and Wednesday had come to an agreement. That's why he had sent for her now. There were some missing details. The contract was incomplete and ambiguous at best. Tish knew it when she signed it. Purposefully so. Wednesday would make a good lawyer. For a fifteen year old, Wednesday Friday Addams was surprisingly good at many things. Admittedly most of them technically illegal. Gomez Addams smiled to himself. He was a proud father.

Gomez had faced hardened violent criminals, and exceptionally shrewd business persons. Several different types of ruthless individual to say the least. He'd also faced nearly certain death, and many an outcast and raging cryptid without so much as batting an eye. But, when it came to one fifteen year old girl, he was terrified. She made him nervous. He was always just a bit skittish around her. Not because she would harm him. No. He knew she would never. Not seriously anyway. Nothing he couldn't come back from. Although she was capable. He was prone to emotional outbursts and overt displays of affection. Both made Wednesday exceedingly uncomfortable. The last thing he wanted to do was unnerve or upset her. She was his daughter after all. He wanted to give her the world. He was just a little afraid of what she would decide to do with it. Still, he wanted to pamper her and do everything in his power to make her happy. Or as happy as she could be. He hated seeing her miserable these past few weeks. It physically hurt. He loves her dearly.

Then why the trepidation? She is an Addams. Wednesday can be wrathful. Her vengeance is always swift and has the potential to be deadly. But never towards family. Gomez knew she had a personal line she would never cross. For her age, Wednesday's sense of self was impeccable. It was beyond reproach. He still gulped hearing feather light footsteps approaching. He took a breath to steady his nerves. He paused his pacing. He wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers.

"Father" Wednesday inclined her head from the doorway. Gomez nodded back. "You sent for me?" She asked. "I did my little viper." Wednesday stood in the doorway examining her father. "Thing said you wanted to talk. I'll assume you're looking to negotiate? If so, you're too late. I already struck a bargain with mother last night. I would have thought she would have told you." Wednesday stated flatly. "I have spoken with your mother. I just want to talk. If we come to another agreement that's secondary. Please, Wednesday have a seat." He said indicating a chair. Gomez moved to sit and lean back on the front of his desk. A power move. Wednesday entered the room unfazed and sat in one of the black leather wingback chairs facing her father.

A silence stretched between them. Gomez glancing at his daughter while Wednesday held a steady gaze. She sat with her arms folded over her chest her face blank. Gomez mirrored her but standing. All that can be heard is the ticking of a grandfather clock in the background. Gomez cleared his throat. "Wednesday, how are you feeling?" Wednesday momentarily looked surprised then glared. Gomez raised his hand. " Lately my little storm cloud, you've been through a lot. Being driven to attempt murder. Getting expelled. House arrest. Having to choose a new school. You'll be away from the family for an extended period of time. Wednesday I can tell it hasn't been easy for you. It hasn't been easy for your mother and me either." Gomez said sincerely. "Oh please father, save the dramatics. You accepted a plea deal on my behalf, and are now sending me away. You never once took my feelings into account." Wednesday's voice was laced with venom. "Wednesday my little death trap, we only want what's best for you." He stated sincerely. Wednesday rolled her eyes. "So, I'll ask you again. Wednesday my little scorpion, how are you feeling? It's ok to say whatever comes to mind. This is a safe space." Gomes stood smoothing his mustache. He winked at his daughter. Wednesday glared. She hummed as if in thought. "How do I feel? This whole thing is ridiculous. I feel like this is a waste of my time. I feel like Nevermore Academy will be a waste of my time, and your money. I'll never live up to the legacy the two of you left behind, so why should I try. I also feel Betrayed. Thing is a dead hand. As of tomorrow I'll no longer be speaking to either you or mother. Had I known this would be a conversation about emotions I would have ignored Thing and continued with my writing time." Wednesday spat. Gomez winced.