Romeo And Juliet Part III

Chapter 6

Edward was now eight years old and in his forth year at school. It was lunchtime and he sat outside in the sun eating with his friends.

"Merrick isn't it?" an older boy walked over to where he sat, two other boys behind him.

"Yes. Who are you?" he asked, slightly intimidated as the boy stood over him.

"Parks. Jason Parks, I'm in sixth year." he grinned.

"Nice to meet you." Edward smiled extending a hand.

Jason looked at him for a second before he smiled and firmly shook his hand.

"There's something I've noticed about you Merrick." he put his hands behind his back, walking back and forth.

"And what's that?"

"I've never once seen your father coming to pick you up. Am I to assume he is busy with work?" he cast a knowing smirk.

"Well, no. My father has an illness which means he can't go outside very much." Edward's heart thumped in his chest.

"I see. What sort of an illness?" he sat down next to Edward.

"Um...well he..." Edward tried to figure out the best way to say it, "he has a condition of the skin and bones."

"A condition of the skin and bones? Hmm, are you talking about a deformity?" he raised a brow, the two boys letting out a knowing laugh.

"He-he," Edward stuttered, "he is deformed, yes." he gulped as he anticipated the boy's reaction.

"Oh I know." he said through his laughter.

"You know? How? Who told you?" Edward was shocked that he knew. No one besides his closest friends knew, and only his mother ever picked him up or dropped him off.

"Oh please. Your mother is quite the celebrity. You really don't think it is common knowledge that she is married to that man?" Edward wanted to cry as Jason leered in his face.

"The elephant man?" Jason smirked.

Edward was silent. What could he say now to defend his father's and his own honour?

"I don't understand how your mother could marry such a disgusting, ugly man. She must be mad."

"Don't say that about my father! He is a good man!" Edward stood up but was much smaller than Jason who laughed at his outburst of courage.

"I pity you. It must be hard to have such a monster for a father. What a burden he is. And you carry his monster curse in your blood." he gave Edward a shove.

"My father is not a monster! Or a burden!" Edward's blood boiled with rage.

"I don't understand why you defend him. If I were unfortunate enough to have him for a father I'd be ashamed and embarrassed beyond comprehension." he circled Edward like a vulture.

"Leave Edward alone! Don't you have better things to do than picking on younger boys!" Edward's friend James spoke up.

"Forget it James, he's not worth it." Edward stood his ground.

He gave a final smirk before he turned on his heels, "Come on boys, let's go get some lunch."

He looked over his shoulder, "See you round elephant boy."

"Don't listen to him Edward, he's nothing but a stupid bully." James put a hand of reassurance on his shoulder.

"I can't believe he found out! Do you think there are other people who know as well?" Edward panicked.

"I don't know but what ever they say doesn't matter. Just ignore them, they'll lose interest. We've all met your dad and he is a little scary at first but he's really nice."

"Thanks James." Edward felt slightly better.

****

"Hello dear, how was your day?" Evelyn smiled as she greeted her son.

"It was alright."

"Come on let's get home, Miss Williams is making your favourite tonight, steak." she took his hand as they walked to the cab.

"Are you alright darling? You seem very distracted." Evelyn asked as they drove home.

"Well, there was this boy today who said some mean things about daddy."

"Oh goodness. How did he find out about your father?"

"You're very well known Mummy, people know that you're married to daddy."

"Well nonetheless he shouldn't say such things. Have you talked to a teacher about it?" Evelyn was concerned for her son.

"No, there's no point. They're not going to do anything about it, they don't care." Edward frowned.

"Well if this happens again I want you to tell me, alright?"

"Don't do anything to embarrass me mummy!"

"Just promise you'll tell me."

"Alright, I promise." he sighed.

"Good. You know I only want what's best for you darling." she put an arm around her son.

"I know." he rolled his eyes.

****

"We're back." Evelyn said as they entered the house.

"Hello dear." John said.

"Daddy!" Edward ran to his father open armed.

"There's my big boy." he lifted his son.

"I'm hungry!" he said.

"Well we're having afternoon tea soon so I'm sure you can wait." Evelyn said as she hung up her coat.

****

"Is everything alright my love? You seem deep in thought." John said as they sat in bed.

"I was just thinking about what Edward told me earlier."

"And what did he tell you?"

She pondered his reaction and sighed.

"Well, he said there was a boy who made some nasty comments about you."

"But how did he find out about me?"

"That's what I asked Edward, but because I am well known for my career it seems that it is known that I am married to you."

"Oh that poor boy, cursed to have me as a father." John's mood was completely soured.

"Come on John, don't say such things." she put a hand on his good arm.

"How can I not when I think of all the misery and humiliation that boy will be put through because of me. He must wish he had a normal father."  John's eyes welled with tears.

"John please. Edward loves you so much, and normal or not you are his father so take pride in that."

"I know darling, I'm sorry." he wiped away his tears.

"If it happens to him again I'm going to speak to the headmaster."

"He sounds like a scary fellow from what I've heard."

"Well then let's hope it doesn't have to come to that. Goodnight darling." she put out her bedside lamp.

"Goodnight my love."