The Red Mansion

The Red Mansion - Why?

They walked into the house, their father was sitting in the living room waiting for their return.   "I'm glad to see you four are alright.  It's late, go take and bath and get ready for bed,"  he said as he stood up with his smoking pipe and headed to his bedroom.

The four boys didn't say a word.  They did as they were told to do.  They all hit the sack and fell asleep.  Before Nate fell asleep, he took a picture he had in his wallet and admired it for a couple of seconds before heading to bed.

The following morning, Luther Ross had prepared breakfast and set up the breakfast table.  Ray Ray was also the first one awake.   The boys did there usual routine.  Used the bath, then washed up, and to the kitchen, they all headed together.  Richard made sure their hair well brushed.

The boys arrived in the kitchen, "Good morning, Mr. Ross." said the smallest child.  "Good morning little one," he replied as he picked him up and placed him in his chair.  The other boys also said good morning as they sat down.

"So, boys, before your father wakes up, we need to get a couple of things straight.  I'm not sure but I think, today you will meet that lady he mentions yesterday." explained Mr. Ross   "Why?  Why does he have to marry her?  Can't he just keep her as a girlfriend with no strings attached?" Richards asked  "No son, that wouldn't be ladylike.  Look, if you don't want to communicate with her, just stay out of her way.  When a man's breath has been taken by a woman, he always seems to forget about what's more important.  In this case, it'll be the kids.  Don't give him any excuse to fight with any of you.  Just be nice." said Mr. Ross   

"Hey, Richard, he's saying the same thing you said. To be nice, even if we don't want too." replied Robert   "Quiet, he comes Papa." said Ricky.  The boys kept quiet until they saw their father walking into the kitchen.   "Good morning Papa." they all said at the same time.

"Good morning boys.  I see you are all dress in your best clothes.  Good, I'll be picking Missy up at the train station today at twelve.  We're heading to town for a fabulous lunch.  Pleases, try to stay clean until then.  Now, I must go get ready." he said as he walked out of the kitchen.

The boys all looked at each other with wonder.  Mr. Ross looked at them, and placed his finger on his mouth, indicating them not to complain nor say a word about the situation. 

So the boys finished their breakfast.  It was ten in the morning when they finished eating.  "Mr. Ross, may we take a walk, until twelve," Richard asked as the boys stood up from their seat heading to the back door.  "I'll agree to let you go only in one condition.  Do not get dirty, come back as you are now. I don't need any trouble with your father." he replied

They headed towards the river, where they can speak freely with no disturbance.  They really didn't have much to say to each other as they walked throwing rocks here and there. They arrived at the river, "Richard, do you really believe if we are bad, Papa will send us away?" asked Ricky   "Don't know how to answer that, but we can't take the chance." replied Richard.

"Well, I will be on my best behavior." said Ricky  "Me too!" yelled Ray Ray  They threw rocks and talked for about an hour.  "Guys, we need to head back, it should be about eleven.  If we're not home soon, for sure, Papa will be upset," said Richard as they began to walk towards the house. As they walked down the dirt road, they sang their favorite song.  "Roses are red my love, violets are blue, sugar is sweet my love, but not as sweet as you."  It was the song that their mother always sang to them while putting them to bed.

They walked and song, Ray Ray who was sitting on Robert back so something running in their direction.   "Richard, somethings running our way," he said in a frightened scream.  Richard stopped to look around, he spotted two wild boars charging towards them.  Richard picked up Ricky, then said, "Run, Robert run."    Robert began to run towards the house.  The two boys ran as fast as they could.  Carrying one of their brothers didn't let them run fast enough.   Suddenly one of the boars jumped up onto Robert, knocking Ray Ray off his back. Richard quickly stopped and picked up Ray Ray, placing him under his arm, while Ricking was still on his back.  He helped Robert off the ground and the boys continued to run again.  

After minutes of running, Richard looked back, out of breath,  "Robert we can stop running now, it's gone." said Richard as he puts his two younger brothers on the ground.  "Oh, shit what happens to your clothes?" he said when he noticed the back of Ray Ray suit was covered in dirt and mud.   "When that pig attacked Robert he knocked to me to the ground." the youngest boy explained.  "Sorry, about that, but that thing hit me hard.  My back hurts bad," said Robert as he stopped running letting his brother catch up with him.

"Turn around, let me check you back," said Richard   Then took a look at his brothers back, his coat was torn and he had a bad, scratch on his back.  "Shit careful, it hurts," said Robert as he jumped away from Richard.  "Guys we must get in the house without being seen.  Run to our rooms and change our clothes.  Let's all stay close together.  Ricky, you'll block Ray Ray, if Mr. Ross or Papa appears.  I'll block Robert." explained Richard  "What about my back?  It hurts badly." said Robert as they reached the back door of the house.   "I'll get the first aid kit and dress your wound.  Hurry, no ones in the kitchen," he whispered as they all entered the house.

The back door suddenly closed,  Nate who was sitting in the living room with Missy and Mr. Ross heard the back door close.  He quickly stood up and headed that way.  "Missy my love, I think my boys are here.  Give me a second and you can meet my wonderful children," he said   The four boys ran through the hallway.   "Hey, you're late and the living room is this way," he said in high meantone.

"Papa something happens." said Richard  But before he can explain, "What the hell! Look at your brother clothes.  Did I say no to get dirty!  Go, clean those boys up now!" he said as he smacked Richard across the head.  Nate never laid a hand on his boys, so when he hit Richard, he stood in shock, "Are you going to let me or are you going to let me tell you what happen?" he asked as he picked up Ray Ray.  "No, get going!" Richard said as he headed back to the living room pissed off.

The anger that he showed the boys, was different and horrifying to them.  Richard quickly cleans up Ray Ray and changes his clothes.  He then patches up Robert's back, then giving him some clean clothes to wear.  Mr. Ross has taken out their best suits, but now Robert and Ray Ray were dressed in rags.