A few years have passed since we came to Rufus, and I developed a basic routine. I get up every morning and do the basics: brush my teeth, brush my hair, and get dressed. I go down and eat breakfast. Then, I go and get a short lesson on reading and writing from Dad. He has Mr. Smith to help me with math. Next, I go and play with Rufus. I do this until the end of the day when Mom drags me back into the house. I then bathe and go to bed. Every once in a while, my routine changes, and those are the best days.
Rufus sometimes stays at our house for the night. He rarely stays on his own, saying it's lonely. Dad always tells him he should find a wife. He always gets quiet when Dad says that. I love waking up, knowing that Rufus is in the house. He goes to my classes with me and listens intently to what Dad says. He gets as frustrated as I do with math. Poor Mr. Smith, having us for students. I doubt he expected to get two kids. And then the day is ours. We can do anything.
Today is one of these amazing days.
I wake up and grin as I hear the rustling coming from Rufus's room. The third bedroom, that is right next to mine is always his. I get up and rush to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Once Rufus hears me moving around, he will come out of his room. Next, I go and get dressed for the day. Then I head downstairs to have breakfast. I walk out of my room to see Rufus standing outside leaning against the wall. He gives me his charming smile, "fit for a prince" Mom once said.
"Race ya." He says and takes off. I squeal and run after him.
"This ain't fair, Rufus. You got a head start!" I yell after him. He makes it down the stairs and rushes to the kitchen, where I hear Mom's laughs drifting from. I make it to the kitchen to see Mom by the stove, still giggling. Dad is sitting at the table, with his coffee a smile on his face. Rufus stands at the kitchen table, right behind a chair. He whirls around to face me.
"Beat ya!" He shouts, throwing his hands in the air.
"Only cause you cheated." I retort, but giggling, nonetheless. I sit down beside Dad and he taps my wrist. That's his way of saying 'good morning'. Such a weirdo. I give him a smile. Rufus studies us, a weird look in his eyes. He slides into the chair next to mine and turns his attention to Mom, a frown on his face.
"Y'all ready for the meeting tonight?" He asks, nodding at Mom when she puts a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Mom, why can't I have coffee?" I ask, Rufus gives me a look but turns his attention back to Mom.
"We're ready, I cannot wait to hear your sermon!" Mom gushes at him. She then gives me a sharp look, "You're too young for coffee, Emma." I start to whine, but she gives me another look and I quiet down. But I do pout though.
"You can have a cup soon, Emma," Dad says, "We'll let you on your birthday." I give a small cheer. Mom then gives Dad a sharp look; he focuses on Rufus, "I'm always excited to hear what you have to say, Rufus." He says it so stiffly. He's been doing that a lot more recently. Dad doesn't seem to like Rufus as much as he used to.
Rufus smiles at Dad, "I'm glad you're both so excited about it." He says, "Thank ya, Margaret." He says to Mom as she places a plate in front of him.
A new thought enters my head, "When can I go to the meetings?" I ask as Mom places a plate in front of me. I had a lot less food than Rufus did. So, does Dad. If he notices he doesn't say anything.
"You're still a bit young for that, honey," Dad says, cutting up his eggs.
Mom frowns, "I think Emma is more than old enough to appreciate the brilliance that Rufus preaches." She sits down at the table and puts a napkin in her lap, like the proper lady she is. She gestures for me to do the same, which I do...unhappily.
"I think she would be fine as well, Walt," Rufus says, giving me a wink on the side. I smile, happy to know he was on my side. My best friend.
"Maybe when she's ten," Dad says, already done eating, he puts his stuff into the sink. I pout. Dad always lets me do fun things. Dad turns and notices my look, "Emma, you get a break from your studies," I cheer, forgetting everything. "I'm going to do some yard work." He adds on, giving me a kiss on my head, then leaves the kitchen.
I giggle, turning to Rufus, so excited about our full day together. I halt when I see his face though. He and Mom are looking at the door that Dad had gone out of. Rufus's face was scrunched up and looks like the face that bullies make when they didn't get their way. Mom looks really similar...but a lot more terrifying. She has the same look in her eyes as she did when she threw a pan at Dad.
"Rufus," I whisper, thinking that he or Mom would take their anger out on me. Mom throws a glare at me. She pushes her chair away from the table, the wood on tile screeching. Rufus looks at the door a few seconds more, before turning around to face me, a bright smile on his face.
"Sorry Emma, I was thinking." He says, following Mom's lead and getting up. His food is half-eaten. "You ready for a fun day of playing?" He asks, but I'm still wary. I don't like the look on his face. It scares me. He looks at me and a knowing look enters his eyes.
Rufus walks over to me and kneels on the ground right next to my chair. He bends his head down, "Oh fair Princess Emma, would you do the honor of spending your day with me?" He asks, looking up at me with his normal, goofy smile. He offers his hand to me.
Rufus isn't Mom. He doesn't have her temper. I must've just thought he was angry at Dad. He is good. Everyone loves him, Mom especially. I eagerly take his hand, excited about what adventure we were going on today.
***
Rufus and I go over to his house. He rarely stays in his home, but it's still the most well-kept in our little community. We walk through the house and see Mrs. Jameson and Mrs. Ike cleaning up the house. Rufus pauses to talk to them, so I stand by his side holding his hand. I smile at both women. They always take the time to make me yummy cookies and one of them is usually the one who makes my lunch. Mom takes care of my breakfast and dinner.
"Anybody doing any yard work?" Rufus asks, craning his head a bit to try and look through the screen door.
"Not yet. But I think Walt said he was sometime today," Mrs. Jameson replies.
"Alright, well Emma and I will go play around outside until Walt gets here. We don't want to be in your way." Rufus says, smiling at them. Both women seem awestruck by it.
"You could never be in our way, Rufus." Mrs. Ike responds, kind of breathlessly. Mrs. Jameson gives her a sharp look.
"Aww, that's sweet of you, Olivia," Rufus says, starting towards the back door, pulling me along. "I best get outside before Emma gets impatient." I look back at the ladies and I shiver. Mrs. Ike and Mrs. Jameson were both glaring at me as if they wished I would die. I bite my lip to keep from whimpering. I turn back towards Rufus, who's warm hand was holding mine. I'm always going to be safe with him around.
We make it outside and I take off towards the swing. Dad put this in for me around the time we first came here. Everyone agreed to put a swing in their backyard.
"Push me, Rufus!" I squeal, so happy. Any time I get to spend with Rufus makes me happy. I feel Rufus push my back and I take off into the air. I scream with excitement. I love the swing; it always makes me feel like I'm flying. I feel Rufus push me again, but his hands feel lower this time...
"EMMA!"
Dad is rushing over to us, giving Rufus a weird kind of look. I put my feet on the ground and skid them across it to make me stop. "Dad!" I shout, taking off over to him. He opens his arms for me, and I jump into them. I put my head on Dad's chest and I hear his heart beating loudly. I look up at him, worried. Why is he upset? His eyes were glued to where I knew Rufus was and the look in his eyes...was fear. Is he afraid of Rufus?
"Everything okay, Walt?" I hear Rufus asks, a strange note in his voice. I try to look at him, but Dad pushes my head onto his shoulder.
"Yeah, Rufus. Everything is okay." Dad says, but his voice shakes. I bury my head into his neck and wrap my arms around him as well. Dad gently runs his hand over my head. "I just decided I wanted to spend a bit of time with Emma is all." He explains.
"I think Emma wants to be with me, Walt," Rufus says and a part of me remembers Mom based on his tone. I shake and give a small whimper. Dad tightens his grip on me. "How about we ask Emma what she wants." I hear him say, his voice sounding like Mom when she tells me to behave. I tighten my arms around Dad, almost choking him. Dad just tightens his arms a bit more, running his hand over my head.
No. Rufus isn't Mom.
I feel Dad swallow. "Okay."
"Emma." I hear my name come from Rufus. Dad loosens his grip a bit to let me look at Rufus. And he looks so happy. What am I scared of? Rufus is too nice to be mean like Mom. "Do you want to stay with me or go with your dad?" He asks, a beautiful smile on his face. I look at Dad and he still seems scared. Did Mom yell at him? I need to be there for Dad. He is always there for me whenever I'm scared, so I need to be there for him. I understand how scary Mom is.
"I want to be with Dad," I say, pressing a kiss on Dad's cheek. Dad releases a sigh. I look at Rufus and my breath catches. He looked exactly like Mrs. Jameson and Mrs. Ike for a second. But it was gone as fast as I thought I saw it. I'm just imagining things. Rufus and Dad always say my imagination is very active.
"Okay, Emma!" Rufus exclaims, a smile coming over his entire face, "We can play tomorrow." He turns his attention to Dad, "See you tonight, Walt." Rufus said this in a kind of flat voice. Dad nods and walks away with me still in his arms. I wave goodbye to Rufus, seeing that his smile is completely gone.
***
The day passes quickly with me spending it with Dad. He lets me help with some outside work and then he makes me a sandwich for lunch. We spend the afternoon inside, reading all of my favorite books. Supper is... tense, with Mom and Dad saying nothing to each other, and Rufus never showing up. Then it's time for them to go to the meeting.
"Go and take your bath, Emma. And head straight to bed." Mom tells me, whilst putting on her shoes.
"Yes ma'am." I respond, a yawn immediately following. I hear Dad chuckle.
"Do as your Mom says and get some rest," Dad says, pressing a kiss to the side of my head.
"Love you, Mom." I say to her back and then I look to Dad, "Love you, Dad." Dad smiles down at me.
"Love you, Emma."
Then they leave. I do as I was told. I climb into bed with my wet hair and the moment my head hits the pillow I'm asleep.
***
"Emma. Emma, wake up." I hear a voice calling out to me. I blink my eyes open and rub the sleep from them. I look up and see dark pits staring back at me. Rufus's black eyes. He was crouching by my bed. "Morning sleepyhead." He tells me, ruffling my hair that probably already looks like a nest.
"Morning," I say through a yawn. I hear him chuckle a bit.
"Now that you're awake I'll head downstairs." He tells me, straightening up. I nod, suppressing another yawn. Rufus leaves the room and I start getting ready.
I wonder what Dad is gonna teach me today. I hope we talk about the Revolutionary War. I love hearing about George Washington and the guy who shouted, 'the British are coming!'. I head downstairs, hearing voices drifting from the kitchen. I walk in to see Rufus sitting at the table, with Mom at the stove. I look around and don't see Dad anywhere.
"Where's Dad?" I ask. Rufus looks at me, an easy air about him. But it's Mom who responds.
"He had to go out of town for a little bit." She places a full plate of food in front of Rufus and gives me a plate that has a singular piece of toast on it.
I look at her, "Why?" I want Dad.
"He needed to go and get something. He'll be back in a while." She says, never once looking me in the eye.
"But...what about my schooling?" I ask. Mom slams her something against the countertop. I jump, scared. I want Dad. I feel someone grab my hand. I look over and see Rufus.
"Don't worry, honey. I'll teach you everything you'll need." He tells me with a bright smile. I look over at Mom and she looked calmer. I want Dad, but he's not here. But he'll be back. I know he will.
He never came back.
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