AN: I own none of the newsies characters (if I did Race, Skittery and Dutchy would be all mine...) well I hope you enjoy this fanfic.
Note to reader, none of the actual newsies are mentioned (by name) in this here chapter but the next couple of ones I believe they do (once I write them down.) please RR!
A young boy sat by the window. Rain poured down on the street below. He sighed. In his mind he wanted to be outside playing. His father, however, wouldn't approve of such a way to "waste" time.
"Young man!" called a stern voice. The boy turned to see his decrepit tutor standing in the doorway. Mr. Gutenberg was very impatient and Matthew had already wasted away 20 minutes of his schooling.
"Sorry Mr. Gutenberg. I'm coming." he said climbing off the window seat.
"Well that's the second time this week; I'm going to have to tell your father."
"Please, don't tell him! I promise I'll never do it again. Please sir don't tell him."
"I'm sorry Matthew but rules are rules. Your sisters and brother have to follow the same rules that your father set. Now sit down. Open your reader to page 20 and begin."
"Yes sir." he said sitting down. After opening his reader he began working in it. All he thought of was what his father would say when he found out.
"Matthew James Hibbett! Come here!" yelled a man up the stairs. Matthew slowly walked to the top of the stairs. He looked down at his father's face. His father was red with anger and rage. He pointed his finger at the floor before him.
Slowly Matthew walked down the stairs coming to a stop in front of his father. He looked up at his father's face.
"Your tutor says you've been slacking this week. Is this true?"
"Yes sir." Matthew whispered.
"Speak proudly so I can hear you."
"Yes sir." Matthew said. He held his head low afraid to look up.
"Son you know I don't approve of idealness. Now how many times have I told you to get those stupid little six year old thoughts out of your head?!" he said slowly raising his voice to a yell. Matthew shook slightly at his father's volume.
Mr. Hibbett took his hands from behind his back. In them was a long piece of leather, a horse whip to be more precise, making Matthew cry out it fear.
Three children could be seen watching from upstairs, watching but staying out of their father's wrath.
"Please no please. I won't ever do it again please sir." he begged. His father didn't listen. He moved closer and swiftly implemented his "fair" punishment.
Matthew lay in his bed crying. A boy, about four years older than him, came into the room. He sat down on the chair beside the bed.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm Fine. Luke, why does father hate me so much?"
"He doesn't Matty he just wants you to be strong."
"Then why does he use that whip so much?"
"It's to make you stronger. We must all take care of ourselves and look out for ourselves."
"Luke…it hurts so much."
"Let me look at it." he said getting up and slowly pulling back the wet clothes. On Matt's back he saw fresh whipping marks and old scars. Luke reached to the bed side table and soaked a towel in fresh water. Gently he laid the cloth on Matt's back. "Is that better?"
"Yes. Do you think Ms. Smith will bring me some food from the kitchen?"
"You know father's rules. If you're too sick to come to the dinner table you don't need food. She NEVER breaks a rule."
"Will you…"
"Matt, I can't. Father will…I just can't I'm risking it just talking to you. I've got to go now I've got tennis lessons." Luke said leaving the room.
"Thanks." Matt said to no one. He lay there thinking of what his life would be like without his father.
"Matthew? Are you in a better mood?"
"Yes sir."
"Then you may come out of your room." he said walking down the hall. It had been two weeks since Matthew had been punished. He'd been confined to his room with no food or water.
He staggered out into the hall. His brother walked past him with his piano books. Matt went to find his mother but she was one, away to one of her friend's houses with the girls. Feeling alone he walked downstairs to listen to Luke play the piano.
Luke was the goody-two-shoes of the family. First born, better loved. He had their father's hair and eyes but mother's chin and nose. Whenever he was told to do something he didn't ask questions he just did it. Matt sometimes despised him for his perfection.
Their sisters, Abby and Lana, were two identical angels. Both nearly died during birth so both were babied by everyone. They did everything together from schooling to brushing their golden hair, a trait passed down from their father. They even ate in synchronization.
Matt was neither the favorite elder son nor the babied twin girls. He was different; he was a trapped spirit that wanted to be free. The only thing Matthew liked about himself was his hair and eyes, both brown like his mother. In Matt's opinion he wasn't related to his father in any way.
He walked into the music room and heard Beethoven coming from the piano. Luke effortlessly moved his fingers up and down the piano keys. Matthew moved over to his brother's side. Looking up Luke smiled at him slightly.
"Want to play your violin with me?"
"Okay, but won't father get angry? I'm not supposed to practice until later today."
"Go on Matty, play with your brother." the boys turned to see their father behind them. In his hand was Matt's violin case. He held it out and Matt took it with a small smile. Standing behind his brother they started to play Beethoven.
Music flowed through the house. Peace came with the music; a peace that would otherwise be lost forever. The boys played for almost an hour until supper was announced. After washing up the boys took their places at the table.
In honor of Matt's return they had pork chops and mashed potatoes. The family, for that day, forgot of their troubles and laughed and had a good time. Matt prayed it would last a long time even though he knew it wouldn't.