Bring me my skates

Start writing... The skies were darker then usual during this time of the year. If it wasn’t for the War Benjamin Day would be on the stone streets of London snowball fighting with his friends. Instead he finds himself alone in a chariot going to an uncle’s Estate that he hasn’t seen since before he developed memories. In his hands was a letter written by his parents telling him how much they both love him and how he needs to be brave. He read the letter over a dozen times, analyzing ever sentence, pronouncing every word, and making sure he didn’t miss anything. By the time the chariot reached its long awaited destination, the creases of the paper were as soft as cotton.

“We’ve arrived Master Benjamin!” the Charioteer shouted.

Benjamin stepped out of the chariot with a new found sense of courage that slowly grew on the long journey, and with a natural gift of curiosity he was born with.

“I’ll set you bags in your quarters while you make yourself familiar with your new residence,” The charioteer said as he gathered the bags & cases.

“Thank you Charley!” Benjamin shouted as he ran to explore. First he examine the statures and the fountains, he wished he could see how the fountains looked shooting water as they would in the summer. Then his exploring took him to a little bench on the side of the giant mansion. It was elegant and weathered in a naturally charming way. Suddenly he felt as if someone was watching him. He turned to look at the mansion and his eyes made there way to the top floor. Behind a window pane he noticed a pale face looking at him.

“That’ll be Young Master Richard that is,” an old rough voice spoke out of the cold air. “And who may you be? Running around my yard like a little rabbit.”

Benjamin was a bit startled and a little confused, “your yard?” he asked as he tilted his head. “Oh uncle!” He shouted with excitement. “You’re a lot more fatter them mother told me, and a lot dirtier too,” he quickly added.

“I’m not your uncle lad,” the old man responded laughing. “I’m the grounds keeper of this here land, you must be Young Master Benjamin from the city?

“Aye!” Benjamin replied.

“Aye,” the old man said as he looked around the yard. “Master Richard is out address business in town. Since we’re here I’ll give’ya the tour of the land. They call me Billy Green,” The old man formally introduced himself.

They both walked around the yard, Billy laughing at Benjamin, He told Benjamin about the history of the land. Benjamin told him how his father went out to fight in the War and how his mother is a nurse for the wounded soldiers. Billy mention how much of a delight Henry & Elizabeth were every time they would come to the property. He also mention how melancholy the property has become since the lady of the house, Anna Baily, passed. As they walked around to the other side of the mansion they came upon a frozen pond in all it’s glory.

“Can we go ice skating on that pond?” Benjamin asked in excitement.

“Aye lad!” Billy joyfully replied. “I have just the pair of skates for’ya.”

Benjamin examined the pound, “Can my cousin come too?

“Aye,” Billy said downheartedly. “Young Master Richard rarely leaves his quarters due to his condition. He has a crooked spine and is confined to a wheel chair.”

“A wheel Chair?” Benjamin thought to himself. “Well,” he spoke out. “The chariot that brought me here has wheels. From what I understand wheels take you places, they don’t hold you back.”

“Aye, you are a smart young lad,” Billy said as a smile grew on his face.

As the snow began to fall Billy took Benjamin into the house where he met more of his uncles workers. William the Estate Steward, another William, the cook, that just went by Big Bill. He met the butler John, the head nurse Florence and the house maid Rose. As dinner was being placed Benjamin noticed that Florence was getting ready to take Young Richard’s food up to him. Benjamin jumped up and insisted that he take the food. William the steward encourage that Florence allow him to do so. Saying that food is a great icebreaker, and how a young joyful lad like Benjamin could bring some color to Richard’s solitude. Benjamin rushed up the stairs and through the halls to a heavy door. He pushed the lazy squeaky door open without knocking or announcing himself. The room was well-lit but still seemed dark. After a quick look around, Benjamin discovered his cousin studying alone at a desk. The image reminded him of Scrooge and could’ve been written by Charles Dickens himself.

Richard lift his head up from his desk and looked at Benjamin. “You’re not Florence,” he said without surprise.

“No,” a smile cracked on Benjamin’s face, “but I think I smile more.”

Richard examined his cousin, backed off the desk and rolled to another, less cluttered, desk. “You may bring the food here,” he said sharply but politely.

Benjamin placed the tray down, not so gracefully, on the desk. He then grabbed a chair and sat a cross from his cousin, gazing at him with curiosity.

“I can’t eat while you’re starring at me,” Richard said as he leaned back in his chair.

“Oh!” Benjamin snapped out of his daze. “You know our mother’s are twins,” he asked in a statement.

“I’m aware,” Richard replied with suspicion.

“A friend of mine, who is a doctor,” Benjamin began.

“You’re friends with a doctor?” Richard interrupted

“Aye,” Benjamin continued. “He was telling me how the children of twines are more like half siblings then just cousins. That we can relate and connect with each other better.”

A silence grew between the two boys that echoed off the walls. “You may go now Young Master Benjamin,” Richard said as he took his first spoon of soup.

“You don’t have to talk like that,” Benjamin responded softly but firmly. “We’re not adults, and we’re not strangers.”

“My father says that manners makes the man,” Richard responded

“…and my father says to be a child, take your time to grow.”

Richard was caught off guard, all his life he was told to be strong and be a man. “Go on,” he said with curiosity.

“Well, men go to fight wars, children live dreams,” Benjamin said as he looked in the air to find the words.

“What dreams can I live? Richard asked. “You don’t know what’s like to be me.”

Benjamin smiled at his cousin, “My mother is a nurse, and before the war she worked with children just like you. I would play with them every time I’d visit her. In the summer I’d push them around the court yard, and in the winter I’d put a bucket of snow on their lap to have snow ball fights.”

“How come your mother never came to help me?” Richard asked with sadness in his voice.

Benjamin placed a hand on his cousin’s shoulder, “because she looks just like your mom. My dad told me that your dad couldn’t bare to see the face of his beloved knowing that she is not his. That the hearts of men remember when a piece of it is taken and that wound takes a long time to heal.”

“Too long,” Richard spoke as he cleared his throat. “My father has buried himself in his work and I guess that I buried myself in these books. These are my adventures, I live my life in these pages.”

“Cousin!” Benjamin almost shouted. “I will be going ice skating tomorrow with Rose’s children, won’t you join us?”

Richard took a second to think about it, and then smiled, “As long as you let me eat my food.”

“Aye,” Benjamin agreed, “But when I’m done eating I’ll come back up so we can play.”

That night the two boys played up and down the halls. The next day Benjamin pulled Richard along the ice in a modified snow sled Billy Green come up with. As the Lord of the house, Richard Baily, arrived he was attracted by the playful music of their laughter. He didn’t get to close to the frozen pond, but close enough to embrace the vision before him.

“It is good to hear the sound of laughter my Lord,” William the Steward said as he approached Richard.

“It Is,” Richard confirmed as he watch his son laugh and play. “I fear that I’ve been more of a Lord then a Father to my son,” He gazed at William. “I think it’s time that I be the father that Anna would have wanted me to be,” he confessed as he looked back at the children. “William!” he said in a matter of fact tone. “Bring me my skates.”