A V.C. Fan Fiction
Reaping the Harvest
Malcolm Neal Foxworth Jr.'s Story
By: Candace M. Butler
Prologue: The Beginning
When I was young, I didn't know much about anything except money. The Foxworths had always had money. We lived in a mansion, called Foxworth Hall. Mother was from New Haven, Connecticut. Father had met her while he was on business. She had told me exactly how he looked. She said she only married Father because he was the only man taller than she. I never did find out why Father married Mother. Mother's name was Olivia Winfield Foxworth, and I, I was named after Father. Malcolm Neal Foxworth Jr., but everyone called me Mal. Mother and Father barely saw each other. I remember the day my grandmother came to Foxworth Hall with my grandfather. Father came into the nursery with Mother, where Joel and I played. He barely glanced at me, so I creened my little ears, while Joel beat on toys. I heard Father whisper, and I watched as his frost-blue eyes raked over the room. "Send a maid in here, Olivia, it's a disaster. When I was a child I was never permitted to keep my toys in such disarray," he told Mother. I looked over a Joel, who appeared to be trembling in Father's presence.
I was terrified myself, but curiosity overcame fear, as I ambled closer to Mother's soothing hands. Mother loved us both, but she never let me forget that I was her favorite. I scooted closer to Mother despite the sharp look Father gave me. He looked at Mother, and spoke, quietly, "Olivia, my father is returning home from Europe. He's bringing a bride with him," Mother looked at him, shocked. "Why didn't you tell me your father was married," she demanded. "Oh, you'll see Olivia. You'll understand soon enough," Father said angrily. I hated Father's angry tone, especially at Mother. "Malcolm, you're scaring the children," Mother said, as Joel began to cry. Father turned and glared at us, he was nearly screaming at us, "I'll do worse than that, if he isn't quiet when I speak, Olivia," Father said, when Joel began crying.
I turned and looked at him, full of fear, I choked back my tears, for I had known since I knew who Father was that he hated weakness in men. And little boys were little less than men. It was the same to him, children didn't exist to Father. "QUIET!" Father bellowed, glaring at me and Joel. It seemed to me that Father resented Joel's existence. "Oh, you'll see, Olivia, you'll see soon enough," he said and stormed out. I leaped into Mother's arms as soon as Father disappeared eager to be reassured. Mother sat down, and explained to me. "Daddy's Father, your grandfather, is coming home tonight. He's bringing his new wife with him," she said, with an eager smile. I was always very sensitive to her feelings.