Chapter 2

The wind blew across the farmland as the sun began to dip behind the horizon. One by one the stars appeared slowly across the darkening sky, twinkling like small diamonds. Amongst the open fields, the Tracy household sat quietly with each window lighting up as the night drew in. The warm orange glow surrounded the large farmhouse lovingly as a large SUV pulled up into the enormous driveway. Once parked, a tall business man dressed in a suit emerged from the car with a broad smile on his face. He quickly marched up to the front door, briefcase in hand, and opened the large wooden door quietly. He peeped around into the cream hallway and entered slowly knowing the old floorboards would creek; they did, loudly. He sighed at his failed attempt too enter quietly and instead decided to give in,

" Dad's home!" He called,

Looking around the hallway, there were four different closed doors and the staircase leading to the first floor. He looked around at the numerous number of framed photographs of his family. His particular favourite had been taken at Christmas; all his sons sat around their mother as she read a book to them. Scott held Alan in his lap, and John had Gordon close to his side with Virgil sitting crossed legged in front of his mother. Just as he'd finished looking at the image, three of the four doors flew open in a flash and in unison, Virgil, Gordon and Alan screamed,

"Daddy!"

All three of them flew towards Jeff who prepared for a forceful impact. Dressed in pyjamas and ready for bed, the three launched themselves at Jeff; all going for his torso. He fell to the floor with a thud, but smiling as he did so as he hugged three fifths of his troop,

"Boys! How are we all this evening?"

Virgil, Gordon and Alan all replied in unison,

"Good!"

Jeff cradled his three youngest as his wife appeared at the kitchen door. He caught her eye and locked stares. He gasped at her flawless beauty; as he always did. She gracefully walked over, her sweet smile growing as she hauled her youngest up into her arms. She held Alan close as Jeff met her lips,

"Hey, how was work?" Lucille asked,

"No different from usual" Jeff quickly bypassed as he kissed his wife again.

Lucille smiled and started walking back towards the kitchen with Alan bouncing in her arms; after four boys, carrying another at the age of four didn't bother her. She placed him on the floor where his toy cars scattered the tiles and returned to cleaning the island counter. Jeff was carefully to walk around his youngest blonde as he rolled up his sleeves and playfully stole the sponge from Lucille,

"Hey!" Lucille protested,

"Who spilt yogurt this time?" Jeff snickered, picking the empty pot up,

"Well, I wouldn't say spilt; more thrown" Lucille sadly began,

"Thrown?"

"Just a small scratch between John and Virgil"

"Over what this time?" Jeff sighed having finished cleaning.

John and Virgil hadn't been seeing eye to eye ever since John had been spending more time with Scott. Jeff and Lucille were aware of everything, but with the summer holidays having just begun, Lucille was struggling to control five energized boys. Both herself and Jeff finished cleaning the counters and set off towards the living room, hoisting Alan along with them. They stepped into the warm living room where the fire was crackling red embers. Watching the TV, Virgil and Gordon sat on the sofa together; making room for Alan as he was placed next to them,

"Virgil?" Jeff began as Lucille sat down herself,

"Dad?" Virgil timidly replied,

"What's this about fighting with John again?" Jeff asked with a stern tone,

"It wasn't me! John started it, it's always him; he never wants to play with me anymore! Just Scott"

Jeff nodded sadly having noticed the divide between his sons. He looked to Lucille,

"I'll go speak to John" Jeff said as he removed his suit jacket.

He was quickly intercepted by Lucille, as she handed him Alan's blanket,

"You get these three to bed, and I'll sort out John" Lucille cheekily smiled as she exited the living room.

Jeff looked to his three youngest and didn't move a muscle as grins started to appear on their faces,

"Ok boys, shall we do this the easy way, or the hard way?"

A few seconds passed, after which Jeff lost all control as all three of them darted off in different directions. He laughed warmly as he went after Virgil, knowing where the two youngest where going to go and hide. As he was searching, he heard the wind growing stronger outside and frowned as the lights dimmed. He continued searching, ignoring the growling wind.