“Their Lives; Their Problems”
~~~River Residence-Hall-9:49 pm ~~~
Jayne, Miles, Shane, and a young blonde man all come through the main entrance to see other people milled about with worried expressions on their faces.
A man in a blue shirt stands at the top of the stairs; he is Sebastian Rivers, the husband to Lucy Rivers, Jayne and Miles youngest daughter.
“I suppose you all are wondering why you are here.” He says, “As family, I thought you would want to know what happened last night.”
“Is Lucy going to be alright?” Miles asks in concern
“I’m afraid not.” Sebastian sighs
Shane begins to cry.
“Late last night she took her own life…” Sebastian says working up some tears.
A woman in black with a pink shirt on underneath is on the verge of tears, she is Mrs. Pamela Lilac, the Meadow-Brooke’s oldest daughter…
“Please tell us why our sister did this.” Pam Lilac asks, her husband embracing her
“It happened all to fast.” Sebastian says, “She slit her wrists open and locked herself in the bathroom.”
“Oh my God!” Pam cries in her husband’s shoulder.
“Pam, calm down.” A voice rings. Several people calm down at the sound of the voice. A blonde woman in a blue dress appears at the top of the stairs.
“Sebastian, what the hell do you think you are doing?” she asks angrily, “Frightening my family like that!”
“Lucy!” a young man runs up the stairs, he is Mr. Nathaniel Meadow-Brooke, the oldest of the Meadow-Brooke children.
“There, there Nathan.” She says patting him on the back. Nathaniel Meadow-Brooke stares a cold, angry glare at Sebastian.
“So?” Sebastian says, “I planned a little family reunion.” He says
“You asked us to come, thinking something was horribly wrong with Lucy!” Jayne Meadow-Brooke shouts as the short blonde man comes over to her. He is the youngest of the Meadow-Brooke children, Mr. Jacob Meadow-Brooke.
Shane runs up the stairs to his mother.
Miles sighs with relief as he sits down in a chair.
“There is food in the Drawing Room.” Sebastian says
No one acknowledges what he said.
Pam’s husband, Carl Lilac, walks up the stairs where Sebastian stands, “I’d like to talk with you… alone…” Carl says
~~~River Residence-Drawing Room-9:55 pm ~~~
Mrs. Candice Meadow-Brooke, Nathaniel’s wife, sits in an armchair. Lucy, Shane, Jayne, Miles, and Jacob are in the room.
Candice stares at Lucy with both the look of fear and anger. Lucy glances at her a couple times, uncomfortable from being stared at.
~~~River Residence Second Floor-Study-10:00 pm ~~~
Mr. Carl Lilac sits in front of Mr. Rivers’ desk. Mr. Rivers pours a glass of brandy and sits behind the desk…
“Your little joke is not cute.” Carl says, “I am a very prosperous writer and I’ve written mysteries with terrible villains, none of which have ever been worse than you.”
“It is a seemingly harmless joke.” Sebastian says
“It may seem juvenile and insignificant, but if you were at the bottom of the stairs ten minutes ago, how would you feel?” Carl asks, “Do you know how angry the people are?”
“If they’d lighten up a bit and learn how to have fun…”
“No!” Carl stands up, “It wasn’t fun. There is not one perspective that makes that ‘fun’!”
“Sorry.” Sebastian rolls his eyes, drinking his brandy
“Sorry doesn’t cut it!” Carl shouts, “You are going to pay for your actions for once.”
“This is my house!” Sebastian says, “And what I do in it I will not be corrected by an outlaw!”
“Lucy is my sister-in-law!” Carl shouts, “I never had any brothers or sisters, but I care deeply for Lucy!”
“I know.” Sebastian says, “I heard out your affair.”
Carl’s mouth drops.
~~~River Residence-Library-10:08 pm ~~~
Nathaniel Meadow-Brooke, Pamela Lilac, Lucy Rivers, and Jacob Meadow-Brooke are all talking.
“I pity you, Lucy.” Pam says, “Divorce him! Come live with me and Carl.”
“I do appreciate your concern in this time of sorrow, and anger, but I’m sure Sebastian and I can work things out.” Lucy says to her sister and brothers.
“That’s just like you Lucy.” Nathaniel smiles at her, “Always trying to be strong when really, you need the extra support.”
“We’ll always be here for you.” Jacob puts his hand on her arm, “If that man does anything to harm you…”
“Jacob, please.” Lucy says, “I greatly appreciate your concern but I’m going to manage.” Lucy stands up and leaves, “If you’ll excuse me.” She leaves the room.
“We have to help her.” Pam says
“I don’t know,” Nathaniel says, “She seems to be doing well on her own.”
“Oh, come on Nathan!” Jacob says, “You ran into her arms the moment you knew she was safe.”
“She needs us.” Pam says, “She was always there for us, we need to return the favor.”
Nathaniel stands up, “And how do you intend to do that?”
“I’ve got a couple ideas.” Pam glares at a framed sword above the fireplace.
~~~River Residence-Drawing Room-10:17 pm ~~~
Candice Meadow-Brooke is still on the couch, Shane and Miles play chess on a marble board by the fireplace, which is lit. Rain begins to pelt against the windows of the Drawing Room.
“Grand.” Candice says turning to look out the window, “More rain.”
“Have you had a lot?” asks Miles
“The past week.” Candice says
“Where are you living, Aunt Candice?” asks Shane
“New York.” She smiles, “Your Uncle Nathaniel and I moved there in June, remember?”
“He wasn’t there.” Miles says, “He was at summer camp.”
“I’m going to find my mom.” Shane says leaving the Drawing Room. Jayne enters as he exits.
“Hello, Candice.” Mrs. Meadow-Brooke says, “Miles, I’d actually like to find a hotel tonight.”
“Nathaniel and I are staying at The Cavendish Hotel.” Candice says, “We could lead you to it.”
“That would be nice.” Jayne gives a half smile, “We’d like to leave in half an hour.”
“Excuse me.” Candice leaves
~~~River Residence Second Floor-Study-10:25 pm ~~~
Candice enters the room to see Shane arguing with his father.
“This is none of your concern, Shane!” Sebastian mocks his son, “Go downstairs.”
“No, dad!” the twelve-year-old shouts, “I’m sick of having you tell me what to do! You never visit; you hardly ever talk to me! What makes you think you have the authority as my father?”
Sebastian slaps his son hard across the face, “I said go downstairs.”
Shane grabs a silver letter opener off the desk and points it at his father, “You’re not in charge any longer.” Shane shouts. He holds the blade and throws the letter opener at his father. The letter opener barely misses his head and falls to the floor, embedded into a book, which falls with it.
“Downstairs! Now!” Mr. Rivers shouts
Shane runs past Candice, who fully enters.
“Mr. Rivers, I don’t know what to say to a man that could have been killed.” She says, “You don’t deserve to live another day! You hurt my family.”
“Family by marriage.” Mr. Rivers laughs, “That’s the only reason you married Nathaniel Meadow-Brooke.”
“Excuse me.” Candice yells, “I’ll have you know that I love Nathan very much.”
“Then what’ll he say when he finds out about our little thing we did the other night.” He asks putting his hand on her shoulder
“Get your hands off me.” She shouts
“You were the one who talked me into it.” He says
“You’re sick.” She scowls
“Am I?” he asks, “Or are you just sad that Lucy is really alive. If she was dead, you’d come crawling to me.”
“How dare you!” she shouts, “How dare you!” she leaves the room.
~~~River Residence-Hall-10:30 pm ~~~
Jayne, Miles, Jacob, and Shane have their coats on. Nathaniel comes out of the Dining Room.
“Honey…” he asks
“I’m ready to go.” She says, taking her and Nathaniel’s coats out of the coat closet.
All six exit the mansion…
TO BE CONTINUED