Bloody, Brawling Business CH3

 

The Burial was quicker than Newton had expected. The grave was already dug when he got there, and he along with Paul and two other people carried Scarlet to her grave. Though he didn’t know them, the respectful manner in which they handled Scarlet made them honourable people in his eyes. 

  No words were spoken by the small group surrounding the grave as Scarlet was placed inside, no words of acknowledgement, or praise, or remorse from anyone. Newt watched her disappear into the hole, the sight of which made his mind race. Buried in memories, he again replayed moments in his head, ones that still lived on within him. 

  He was pulled out by a nudge on the shoulder. Paul was to his right, his arm outstretched towards Newt, holding a shovel. Paul nodded to the grave in an expression that said, time to put it all away. 

  Newton looked down at his feet. “No- no, please do it for me,” he said.

  “You should do it. It will make things easier.”

  “No! I can’t,” Newton said, frustrated. He took a couple of steps back, away from the grave and joined the circle of silent people.

 

There was a family consisting of two parents and a young daughter, three men not including himself, and two women. Most of them broke away moments after Scarlet had been buried, making Newton feel as if he was losing his last opportunities to get to know his sister. 

  Paul introduced Newton to the family of three who now made up most of the remaining folk. 

  “This is Riley Ruggot, his wife Olivia and their daughter,” said Paul.

  “Her name is Clara. How’re you feeling Paul?” said Mr Ruggot, grabbing Paul’s now outstretched hand and shaking it. 

  “It was a shock,” Paul replied. “I’m just moving on, moving forward.

  Newton caught Paul glancing at his face as he said this.

  “Yeah, right,” said Mr Ruggot. “We can’t stop moving, there's no point in mourning otherwise. Should just roll over and die at that point. The point you stop moving, that is. Who’s this fella?”

  “Newton,” answered Paul.

  “Newton, Newton," Mr Ruggot repeated. “Where’ve I heard that before?

  “Scarlet’s brother, Ry,” answered Olivia. “She told me all about him. She would always mention you, Newton. All the time.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss lad. If you’re anything like her, you’re a good man,” said Mr Ruggot.

  “Your sister helped Mr Ruggot and his wife just like she helped me and many others,” said Paul.

  “Speaking of which, Paul. What’s going to happen to the others? The ones that still need help.”

  Paul shot Mr Ruggot a look. Mr Ruggot looked confused before his daughter whispered something in his ear. After that, it looked like everything made sense to him. It made no sense to Newton though. What was Paul keeping him in the dark about?

  “In terms of the others you speak of,” said Paul. “That’s up to us now. We have the resources to help and I think we should.”

  “Help who? How?” Newton asked.

  “It’s a long story,” said Paul. “One for after you’ve recovered, completely.” 

  Newton suppressed his anger at Paul’s words by actively remembering how much he’s helped. 

  “The man's right,” said Mr Ruggot. “If Scarlet hasn’t told you, I'd suppose it’s best to keep you safe from it until it’s necessary.”

  “Don’t worry,” Olivia said. “You’ll find out in due time. I don’t think Paul, as much as he is wise to do so, can keep you from finding out about your sister’s past one way or another.”

  “I think it’s time to get going. Keep me updated, Paul. If my help is needed, it’s granted,” said Mr Ruggot. 

  “Glad to hear. I take it you wouldn’t mind helping me with Scarlet’s house this week,” said Paul.

  “Not a problem,” said Mr Ruggot as he gave his wave and started walking off. His wife and daughter followed in suit.

Newton was upset at hearing the news that he’d need to spend another week with his parents. Paul told Newton on the way back from the burial when he asked. “Can you drop me off at Scarlet’s house?”  

  “No, I need you out of there. You’ll endure your parents for just one more week, for Scarlet's sake,” said Paul. “You’ll be free afterwards.”

  Paul had to kick Newt out of the car when they got to his parents house. He tried his best to stall for time, not wanting to go in and see the faces of people who were happy to see his sister gone. 

  “And don’t lock yourself away. Get out and meet people,” was Paul’s parting message.

Newt was relieved when he entered the house and was met with silence. He walked past the dining room where his parents were sitting at the table. His mother ignored him. His father on the other hand, stared into the side of his head as he made his way to the stairs. Finally ready to lay down, rest, power through the cold week coming, he entered his room.

  It was a mess. His bedsheets were strewn across the floor, which was littered with note books from his desk which itself was messy with spilled pens and scrunched papers strewn on its top. Across from that, his wardrobe was opened, clothes off the hangers and erupting from the derailed draws. 

  Newton rushed over to it. And started searching through the mess. Where were Scarlet’s things?

  He stormed downstairs, right into the dining room in a hastened fury. 

  “Where are Scarlet’s things?!” he yelled. 

  His mother lowered her head over her plate and his father stood up tall, taking his own dish into the kitchen at a calm pace. “I threw that stuff away. It was only junk,” he said.

  “How dare you!” Newton glanced over at his mother, expecting her to heat up as well. He caught a glimpse of a tear dropping into her plate right before his father continued to speak.

  “I am your father. I did what I had the right to do.”

  “You stopped being my father the moment you stopped being hers!”

  “I will continue to be your father as long as you need me.” 

  “Then even by your own words, you are not my father.”

  Newton checked his pockets for Scarlet’s keys and phone. When he was sure they were on him he stormed out of the house, his mother yelling after him.

  “Newton! don’t! please! not again!”

  He didn’t care if Paul needed the house, whatever for and for how ever long. He was going to be staying at Scarlet’s from now on.