Tutoring a Herdman (Best/Worst Christmas Ever Fanfic)

Broken Friendship

Louella and I've been friends since before we started primary school, or even knew of the existence of the Herdman children. We dealt with getting in trouble for losing her baby brother Howard, kidnapped by the Herdman kids for their amazing tattooed baby act. We talked about how Alice was always a prick, and kind of stuck up, but did everything together.

Our mothers also got along well, but they were also next-door neighbors, and never disagreed on anything.

However, that was until I started tutoring Ralph.

Mrs. McCluskey found the task problematic, feeling that my mother was unnecessarily putting me in danger, and in turn putting her daughter in danger. This of course led to a major change in my life, as my best friend was no longer allowed to be my best friend.

~M~

Beth's mother came home, letting out a sigh, not realizing that he daughter was still up and listening. Grace Bradley turned to her husband, clicking her tongue as she did so. "That woman!"

"You're speaking of Mrs. Wendleken, if I'm not mistaken?"

"She seems bent against the Herdman children, not liking the fact Ralph was held back for his own good."

"I agree with her. If I were Beth, I'd be scared. She's a very brave girl, you know."

"Brave? Beth simply knows there is more to the Herdman children than people let on." Grace sat down. "Mrs. Tadlem is wanting to get Ralph test."

"And..."

"And they need the permission of Mrs. Herdman."

Beth's father went silent for a good chunk of time, making his eleven-year-old daughter push her lips together in frustration, waiting to hear her father. "Good grief. She'll never relent. She's actually, as you and I both know, the worst culprit in this town in regards to why those children don't succeed. Specifically though, I've seen her around Ralph. She hates the boy, adores the others."

"That's just wrong. And yes, she seems to hate Ralph, but not completely. She can't, won't. I mean, a mother hating their child like that?"

"Is Mr. Herdman coming to town soon?"

Beth startled, remembering the rumor about Mr. Herdman having taken off. Her mother let out a sigh. "I don't know. To be honest, I can't blame some of the town folk for claiming he took off on Mrs. Herdman. His job keeps him on the go. There's no love lost between the two, as it was a marriage of convenience, but he does love those children. Even Ralph, even though Ralph isn't his."

"It's not his fault that nobody in town wants to hire him. The man does a decent thing when nobody else would, and it wasn't even his problem."

The eleven-year-old thought she heard enough, and headed up to bed, not liking what she'd heard. She woke up, and headed out to see if Louella wished to play. Her friend nearly jumped when she approached her. "Sorry Beth. I can't play with you anymore. My mother says so."

"How come?" Beth stood on her tiptoes, trying to look over the hedge at her friend, who hunkered down.

"Because you're tutoring the Herdman kid."

"You mean Ralph? Does she think he'll be a bad influence on me?"

"No. She made that quite clear. She thinks you're in danger, and she doesn't want me in danger as well. Sorry."

"No. Adults are rather silly, aren't they?"

"Silly? I forget the fact you're not afraid of Imogene, but the adults aren't silly to fear the Herdman kids."

"Do you think that's a bit..."

"Sorry, but I've got to go."

Beth folded her arms across her chest, wondering what got into everyone. Her mother kept saying the Herdman kids really weren't bad kids, and in many ways the last year they'd proven as much.

"Beth..."

Hearing her brother's voice, she turned, wondering what was bothering him. "Yes?"

"What do you think dad meant when he said it wasn't Mr. Herdman's problem?"

"Honestly, I don't know." Beth let out a sigh. "I don't see there is any problem at all." She watched her brother pale. "What?"

"Why? Why aren't you afraid of them?"

"Because they're actually nice people."

Charlie frowned, sitting down on the porch to think. Beth sat down as well, watching the sunset. A sudden tug of her sleeve brought her attention back to Charlie. "What now?"

"How can the Herdman kids not be his problem if he's their father?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, the problem is always the Herdman kids, isn't it?"

"Well, I guess."

"Why isn't his problem then? When we mess up, it's both mom and dad's problem. So, what's different? What would make them not someone's problem?"

"Didn't you hear mom and dad. The people in town don't think the Herdman kids are their problem because they're not their kids, so as long as their kids aren't involved..." Beth stopped, her throat tightening. Her fingers pressed into her clothing. "It can't be."

"What?"

"If you can't figure it out, well, don't bother." Beth took a deep breath.

"But you just said the Herdman kid's aren't other people's problems because they aren't..." Unfortunately, her brother got it. "Wait? It's not his problem because it's not his kids?"

"Well..."

"Doesn't that make Ms. Herdman one of those very bad words? That does that very bad word thing?"

"Charlie!" Beth sighed. "We don't know if it's true. I mean, it doesn't make sense that one of the kids wasn't his, right?"

Her brother frowned. "Then only one of the kids would need to be 'not his problem'?"

"Charlie. This isn't something we should be talking about."

"Is there anything different about them? Mom and dad said Ms. Herdman treats Ralph differently. Wait. Does that mean..."

"Charlie, don't you dare go spreading this around town."

"Why? It's true isn't it?"

"We don't know if it is or not. Plus, it's just cruel, letting everyone know something like that."

"But they're always cruel to us. They honestly deserve it."

"Except they're not always cruel Charlie. Why can't you and everyone else see that?"