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The Richardsons
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Author:  Joyce [ 03 Jan 2008, 17:15 ]
Post subject:  The Richardsons
Short story about the Three Rs.



"Aunt Joey, we're back!"

The three Richardsons ran happily into Freudesheim anxious to get away from the bitter cold outside and looking forward to a roaring fire and proper "English tea."

For once the three Maynard wards were the only ones home during this school holiday - the elder Maynard children had scattered to various friends and relatives though they were expected home soon. But the three made more than enough noise to make up for it!

"Where's Aunt Joey?" Ruey said taking off her scarf and hanging it up on one of the pegs which lined the hallway. "Saal, do you think?"

"Let's go see," Roddy said throwing his boots any which way. Ruey rolled her eyes at her oldest brother Roger and made to pick them up.

Roger stopped her and they stood looking pointedly at Roddy till he got the idea himself. Grimacing at his elders he picked them up and lined them neatly on the mat. "Race you!" he said, taking off down the hall.

The other two ran after him pushing and laughing as they made their way down the long hallway and tumbled into the large Speisesaal, or the Saal as the comfortable room was commonly known as.

However all three stopped dead in the doorway when they saw who was in the room.

"Hello," said Professor Richardson.

***

To go back an hour, Joey and Jack Maynard were quietly enjoying a coffee break and mild gossip when a knock was heard at the door. Anna came in followed by a middle aged thickset man who looked vaguely familiar.

"Professor Richardson!" Joey exclaimed. "What on earth?"

Jack simply looked stunned as he gazed at the man who frankly he had never approved of and secretly hoped to never see again.

The three stood there gazing at one another until Joey's natural hospitable instincts came to her rescue and she waved the professor to a seat, supplying him with coffee and cakes.

"We heard the spaceship landed safely," Jack said somewhat sarcastically as an ocean landing requiring the efforts of three major naval powers to go to the rescue could hardly be called 'safe.' "We sent telegrams and tried to call you as soon as we heard the news. But there was no reply. We couldn't keep the news from the children and they were naturally anxious."

"Yes, I suppose I should have called," the Professor said absently crumbling his cake. "I had some things to attend to."

Joey rested her hand on Jack's arm knowing he was about to explode.

"The children are out visiting nearby friends at the moment but should be back soon," she said. "I think we should have a chat before they arrive. Perhaps you could tell us what your plans are now."

The Professor started telling them about a new project he was involved in, this time to try and reach the moon. He told them about the amount of time, effort and money which was being spent on it by the Russians and how he was sure this time it would be a success. As he spoke his eyes actually sparkled and he looked more animated than Joey had ever seen him. If it was not for her concern about the children, she would have joined him in his enthusiasm.

"Professor," she said finally and weighing her words carefully. "Your knowledge of these things is obviously greater than mine, but it seems a very risky venture. Last time you nearly died and it is a miracle that you are here now. Surely for the sake of the children you could reconsider going again."

"Or perhaps postpone the trip until the children are grown up," Jack said.

Professor Richardson looked aghast. "Postpone! That's not possible! The countries financing this project are adamant it goes ahead as soon as possible. The other men working with me are pushing full steam ahead. In fact, I should not have taken the time off now."

Jack took a deep breath and walked over to the window to resist the urge to shake the other man.

"Professor," Joey said desperately, her concern for the three Rs the only thing pushing her forward. "You are all the children have left. Think of how they would feel if the worse should happen. They have already lost their mother."

"They have your family," the Professor said.

"Yes, and we will care for them as our own, as will the Rosomons," Jack said. "But you are their father. Surely you can see that that counts for a great deal."

The Professor was silent and then a stubborn look which didn't really go with his absent-minded professor persona, came across his face.

"I have provided for them. All the money I can spare goes to them, the house and the property, will be sold to provide for their education. I’ll be in touch with you about that."

He stopped as he saw the looks on Joey and Jack's faces. "Can’t you see how important this is to me?" he said slightly desperate now. "I must go!"

Joey did not ask the obvious question "is it more important than your children?" as she knew what the answer would be. But she could at least smooth over the coming meeting.

"Professor, the children will be back soon and your presence will be a slight shock to them. Please let me talk to them first."

The Professor looked at his watch, unaware that he risked another threatened shaking from Jack.

"I'm afraid I have to leave soon," he said. "I'll have to see them as soon as they arrive."

Now the moment had come and Joey silently cursed the Professor for not giving her time to prepare the three as she saw the looks of stunned disbelief on their faces.

"Aunt Joey?" Ruey said, obviously hoping her adopted aunt could explain the apparition.

"Your father is here on a flying visit," Joey said trying to sound normal. "Ruey, why don't you come and help me bring more coffee and cakes."

Once outside, Ruey grabbed at Joey. "Aunt Joey, what is he doing here?"

"To visit you." Joey took a deep breath and turned Ruey round to face her. "I know how you feel but he is your father. Please try and be kind, or at least polite, to him."

"But all these weeks he's been back and we've heard nothing and now he comes out of nowhere," Ruey said slaming coffee cups down on a tray. "What sort of welcome does he expect?"

Privately Joey agreed but she tried again. "Ruey, please try and be welcoming. For your mother's sake."

Ruey's sensitive lips trembled as they always did at any mention of her dead mother. "Oh all right," she said gruffly, picking up the tray. Joey followed feeling slightly guilty but what mother doesn’t use emotional blackmail now and then?

Back in the Saal the atmosphere was thick and even happy go lucky Roddy was silent. Joey handed round cups and cakes and then looked pointedly at Ruey.

“So dad,” Ruey said brightly. “How are you?”

The Professor once again started explaining about his new project to the moon ignoring the shocked looks from his three children.

“Does that mean you are going to space again? Straight away?” Roger asked. “After what happened last time?”

“Well, yes,” the Professor said. Then, for once realizing his children looked scared, added “but it’ll be much safer this time, we are putting in extra precautions...”

“Can’t you wait?” Roger asked. “Does it have to be now?”

Jack looked up wondering if the Professor would give his eldest son the same answer he had been given.

“Yes, it has to be now, Roger,” the Professor snapped getting annoyed that noone was taking him seriously. “You should know that these things can’t wait.”

“Dad, could I talk to you alone? Roger said.

“Well, I have to leave soon,” the Professor said. “The project…”

“Dad!” Roger yelled. “Can’t you talk to us for a moment? Is this project really more important than us?” For once easy-going Roger was really angry and the white shocked look on his sister’s face spurred him on.

The Professor looked up and for once a flash of what might have been guilt went across his face. “Roger, please try and understand.

"This project could be the means of sending more people to space, to explore new frontiers, to visit worlds that now we can only dream of, and I can be a part of that. Every time I look at the stars I wonder what is up there,” the Professor said his eyes looking dreamy.

Then he ruined the moment: “You three will be provided for …”

“Provided for!? We might as well be unwanted puppies for all you care about us,” Ruey burst out angrily. “Fine go then, see if I care!”

Joey decided it was time to intervene though her sympathy was with the children.

“Ruey, of course your father cares for you. He has made every provision for your future, please remember that.

“Every job carries a certain element of risk and your father has chosen to take on the ones that this … project contains. Your father could also be the means to bring new light to mankind, he could discover worlds with minerals or plants that we need to cure diseases.

“Someone has to be the first and you should be proud that your father is prepared to be a pioneer, ready to take the risk for those who will come after him.”

Even as she said it, Joey knew it was a wasted effort. There was no way of explaining to three scared, bewildered children the unexplainable.

What she really wanted to do was reassure the three that they would always be part of the Maynard family no matter what happened to their father, but it seemed tactless to say that right in front of him.

There was silence then the Professor stood up. “I really should go,” he said.

The three children stood up and looked at their father. Roddy awkwardly hugged his father followed by Roger who obviously only did it as an example to his sister. Ruey stood stiff and unbending.

“Look after yourselves,” the Professor said jerkily. “Please …” whatever else he wanted to say, he couldn’t find the words.

Watching him walk away looking so alone, Ruey suddenly ran after him and hugged him tightly. “Bye dad.”

The three Richardsons walked back into the house and sat discussing things in the library while Jack and Joey discreetly left them alone. That night Joey had a long talk with Ruey and even though she was seldom to talk about her father again she was glad that in the end she hadn’t let him walk away in anger.

***

It was the last time the Richardsons were to see their father. They heard that the spaceship he was on blasted off, but it was never heard of again though the Maynards exhausted every effort to gain some news.

Finally after five long years had gone by Roger, by now a grown man, called his younger brother and sister together. Together they, with Jack and Joey, paid a visit to their mother's grave and a new headstone dedicated to their father was placed next to it.

Professor George Richardson (they all decided his long name would be too much for one stone)
Beloved husband and father
Ignorance is the curse of God, knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven

For Ruey however, whenever she saw a night sky sparkling with stars she thought of Byron’s words:

The sky
Spreads like an ocean hung on high,
Bespangled with those isles of light
So wildly, spiritually bright.
Whoever gaz'd upon them shining,
And turn'd to earth without repining,
Nor wish'd for wings to flee away,
And mix with their eternal ray?
Author:  Alison H [ 03 Jan 2008, 17:17 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Joyce - the issue of them losing their father was rather glossed over in Ruey.
Author:  PaulineS [ 03 Jan 2008, 17:23 ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Joyce, an insightful story.

I am with Jack in wanting to shake the professor.
Author:  Elbee [ 03 Jan 2008, 19:39 ]
Post subject: 
I'd like to shake the Professor too! Thanks, Joyce, that was very moving.
Author:  Lesley [ 03 Jan 2008, 21:41 ]
Post subject: 
He should never have had children.

There again though - didn't mary Lou's father do something similar? Swan off to the other side of the World looking for butterflies rather than stay at home with his wife and two year-old daughter?


Thanks Joyce.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 03 Jan 2008, 23:34 ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
He should never have had children.

There again though - didn't mary Lou's father do something similar? Swan off to the other side of the World looking for butterflies rather than stay at home with his wife and two year-old daughter?


Thanks Joyce.


And Verity Anne's father and she didn't even have a mother just an elderly grandfather
Author:  Joyce [ 04 Jan 2008, 09:35 ]
Post subject: 
I think EBD goes easier on ML's and VA's father's because they had 'real' jobs that took them away from their families for years on end, whereas the professor was a bit of a nutcase and space exploring was not really a career.

In Tyrol it's fairly obvious that he is more than happy for Joey and Jack to take over and he divests his responsibility. That's why he's given such a hard rap.

I LOVE his insanely long name though!

Cheers,
Joyce
Author:  ibarhis [ 04 Jan 2008, 13:48 ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
He should never have had children.

There again though - didn't mary Lou's father do something similar? Swan off to the other side of the World looking for butterflies rather than stay at home with his wife and two year-old daughter?


Thanks Joyce.


It is hard to remember the degree to which families accepted separation before the rise of cheap air travel. Children being sent 'home' to England for education, military officers on tours of duty, sailors, and many others all accepted the need to be apart.

I think it was the crackpot nature of the undertaking which was considered far more reprehensible than the actual separation.
Author:  leahbelle [ 04 Jan 2008, 17:52 ]
Post subject: 
It's always been a wonder to me how the three Rs turned out so well-balanced with such an unsettled home life.

Thanks, Joyce.
Author:  Jennie [ 06 Jan 2008, 16:04 ]
Post subject: 
I can't remeber exactly when Mrs. Richardson died, but I think it was when Ruey was twelve, (I know someone will be more accurate than I am) so she'd provided stability until then, and it was only after his wife's death that the Professor allowed space flight to become his ruling passion.
Author:  Miriam [ 06 Jan 2008, 21:49 ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
There again though - didn't mary Lou's father do something similar? Swan off to the other side of the World looking for butterflies rather than stay at home with his wife and two year-old daughter?


MAry-Lou's father 'swanned off' (somewhat improbably) in the middle of WW2. Staying home wouldn't really have been an option, and statistically, his chances of surviving as a soldier were probably a lot worse than they would have been up the Amazon.
Author:  Jennie [ 06 Jan 2008, 21:58 ]
Post subject: 
I think he was in the Navy, definitely a dangerous occupation during war-time.
Author:  brie [ 09 Jan 2008, 12:38 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Joyce
Author:  Chair [ 09 Jan 2008, 15:52 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Joyce. I'm sorry that Professor Richardson put his space travel before his children.
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