The Farmhouse

Chapter 1- Parents and Punishments

Mama and Papa loved rules. They loved punishment. They loved- let's face it- being cruel.
My brothers and sisters never meant to break those rules. They didn't want the punishment. But they got it. And so did I.
I had 7 siblings. 4 boys and 3 girls. Daniel was the oldest. He was 24 and acted as the assistant of the household. He didn't break rules. He gave the punishment.
I'm next. At 16, I am the opposite of Daniel. I sneak food for the kids who missed supper, comfort the ones who have been beaten- I am the real mother. The loving one. The caring one.
Maya is next. She is 12 and the shyest girl I know. She had a hard time answering questions- and suffered for it.
Max and Logan are next- the twins. Both being only 9, they do what they can to scrape by. Mama and Papa... dislike them.
Gale is 6. She is brave. Standing up for those in need, helping those who need it. Like Maya, she suffers for who she is.
Johnny is 3. He doesn't understand punishment- and so he receives it a lot.
Finally is baby Karen. Mama and Papa don't bother with anyone who can't or don't do their chores- So I'm left to take care of Karen. She is forgotten.

The warm sunlight is streaming in from our tiny attic window. I hear Maya snoring from the bed next to mine. Everyone else is still sound asleep. My one moment of quiet... of peace. I smile.
The shrill sound of the bell wakes us up. Max yelps, and Logan shushes him. Gale awakens quietly. Johnny gets up solemnly. Karen begins to cry.
Hopping up, I grab Karen from her nest of spare blankets. Rocking her slowly and whispering words of comfort, she quiets down. I plunk her on my hip and take Johnny's hand. "Max, Logan, grab Gale please." I say. Doing as they are told, the twins each take one of Gales chubby fingers. We walk downstairs.
At the next floor, I see Daniel just waking up. I avert my eyes and continue downstairs. At floor two, I glance around. Maya! She is still sleeping! If she doesn't hurry, she won't make it by the second bell. Anxious, we walk down the final steps into the kitchen. Mama is at the stove, Papa reading the paper. I place Karen in her chair and Johnny in his seat. Max and Logan sit down with Gale. Mama reaches over and pulls the bell string that wakes us up. It is very loud and can be heard throughout the house.
Just then Maya comes scrambling down the stairs. But she is already too late- the bell has rung.
"Why are you late?" Asks papa. Mumbling, Maya looks down. Speak! I say to myself. Speak or you will be punished! But as I expected she says nothing. Papa stands up and states,"Rule number 8: be down before the second bell. Punishment: No breakfast, and Daniel's choice." He smiled.
Suddenly, Daniel comes sauntering down the stairs. He is late too- but no one says anything. Rule number 16: Don't question Daniel. Punishment: No food for the day.
     "Daniel! Just in time! We need some physical punishment." Said papa.
     "My pleasure!" Said Daniel, smiling. It was all I could do to stop myself from screaming at him. How could he enjoy hurting people? His family? His sister?
     Unfortunately, Gale voiced my thoughts.
     Her little voice squeaked as she talked, her lisp screwing up her "r". "Brother, why do you hurt us?"
Daniel slowly turned around and said," Mama?"
"Rule number 16: Don't question Daniel. Punishment: No food for the day. " Stated Mama, looking at Gale.
"Thank you, Mama." He says smiling. She nods and smiles back. Without another word, he turns around and slaps Maya across the face.
The red hand print appears even before she turns her head to face forward. The force of the blow knocked her head backward and she stumbled on her feet. "Ok, sit down now Maya!" Daniel says with a cheery smile. He guides her over to her chair and plops her down. We all follow in suit without a word. I am in between Maya and Daniel. Mama places a bowl of heaping oatmeal in front of him, herself, and Papa. For the rest of us, it's one single piece of toast. A little burnt, but good enough for me. I glance to my left. Maya is stunned. I can see her shaking.
"K-Kimmy..." She mumbled.
     "I know. It's ok." I mumbled back. She continued to stare down at her empty plate. Gale was also staring at her plate- she hadn't eaten since yesterday's lunch.  Max and Logan were already munching on their toast. Johnny was nibbling, and glancing at Daniel nervously. His eyes said it all. Don't hurt me.
     Karen made an angry squeak. I remembered her bottle. Hopping up, I ran to the fridge and pulled it out. I handed it to her and she sucked on it happily.
     Back at my place, I began to eat my toast, being sure to save a couple pieces for Maya and Gale. After we all finished, Papa stood up and beckoned us to follow.
     Time for another days work as  my parents' farm slave.
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