I am Muffy
Muffy's parents have been arguing a lot especially about her father's 'business'. Now Mrs Crosswire wants to move out and take Muffy with her. Will Muffy survive life in the real world and which unlucky family will take them in? Please R&R
Disclaimer:I do not own any of the characters in Arthur.
Author's Note: This may seem a bit similar to "Muffy goes poor" but it's not actually. This story looks at the ties that bind the families of Elwood city together as well showing the ups and downs of the Crosswire family (well mostly Muffy and her mother)
Enjoy! And please R&R – I would love to hear what you think of the story – it's a bit slow at the beginning – but I promise it will pick up the pace soon.
Chapter 1 – The Big Argument
Muffy stared out from her window in a delirious manner. Outside the rain was coming down hard and it seemed a reflection of the mood in her house. Of late, her parents had being arguing a lot – and not just minor arguments either. Muffy had never felt so alone before, even her newest toy – a limited edition Crazy Bus PSP couldn't console her.
She flipped through some Fendi catalogues to calm her mind – lately she'd been taking to retail therapy, and big fashion brands were her weakness. Of course, this made her father very proud ("You're acting like a true Crosswire honey – no dress under $1000 is good enough for you eh?"). As she glanced over the pages a lovely handbag caught her eye. "That will go perfectly with my gorgeous sailor costume!" she exclaimed. "DADDY! I want this purse!" she screamed loudly. She paused, expecting the footsteps to sound in the hallway but none came.
Muffy slowly got up – she was going to find daddy - now! Clutching the Fendi catalogue, she crept down the hallway, not knowing why she was so silent. Then, from the drawing room, voices rose up to meet her ears.
"How could you do this Ed? You have a responsibility to your family! Think of Muffy, sweet Muffy, your daughter! Is this the kind of fatherly figure you want to represent?"
It was her mother, but she didn't sound mad – no, she sounded desperate, anguished and upset. Her father spoke, but his voice was much softer and Muffy had to strain against the door to hear his words.
"- but it was necessary honey. I did it for my little girl. Do you want to maintain this lifestyle of ours or not? It would break Muffy's heart to live like ordinary people, so I to do something – I couldn't just stand there and see our fortune go to tatters"
Ed Crosswire, pompous, arrogant and full of himself, was pleading – perhaps for the first time in his life. But as Muffy listened, she knew that her father was not being sincere – there was a edge to his voice that was dangerously sly and vicious. She slumped against the wall, not wanting to listen further, but she felt nailed to the spot.
Mrs Crosswire sobbed, "Ed, I can't believe you – I trusted you! I loved you! It's not a matter of lifestyle or upholding reputation – but forgery and, and illegal supplying. Ed, that just going too far… There is a limit and you passed it a long time ago…"
"But honey, that's just business – people lie and cheat all the time! How do you think I went from a poor, struggling nobody, to a rich, successful entrepreneur. It wasn't through luck or skill – just pure survival instincts." Mr Crosswire was getting mad now, Muffy could tell by his tone.
"No Ed, you've got children to think about. Besides - $150 million dollars is not just a tiny deal – it's big. Ed – that money was to be used to build a park and thanks to you, there'll just be another "Crosswire Motors Ltd" store. Besides if anyone ever finds out what you're doing, you'll be in for it, big time!"
Mr Crosswire swallowed, and then continued, but in a much more dangerous tone, "But no-one will ever find out… will they? You'd better not be planning on telling anyone honey, or I promise Muffy's life will not be worth living!"
Muffy stifled a shocked gasp. "No!" she whispered, pushing the door open a fragment, to peer inside. Her mother was staggering backwards, clutching a candlestick holder, waving it in front of her, like a weapon.
"Stay away Ed! Keep away from Muffy - what has she ever done to you?" she shrieked hysterically. "I can't take this anymore. I- " she broke away, noticing Muffy peering through the door. She gave out a shudder and collapsed.
Ed hadn't noticed Muffy yet, and he didn't even bother to hasten to his wife's side to see if she was alright. He just stood there, smoothing his chin, saying out loud, "Now a divorce would simply not do – no one in Elwood city has had one for ages…aside from Bixie Baxter – but she doesn't count because she's got no blue blood in her for yonks. A separation would still be too scandalous and our reputation would be gone… I really don't know what to do"
Muffy decided it was safe to enter. "Mommy!" she cried, "Are you all right?"
Ed Crosswire woke from his revere and looked at Muffy in an annoyed manner. "Of course she's alright – she's just not feeling too well. Where did you come from? Have you been listening to our conversation?"
"N-No," stammered Muffy, "I just came down the hallway just then, to show you this Fendi handbag. Will you buy it for me?" Her unshakeable poise was slowly returning.
"No!" snapped Ed irritably. Muffy's eyes filled with tears and she started to simper.
"Did I say no?" said Ed "I meant, absolutely. Daddy will have it for you by tomorrow"
"I want it today!"
"Daddy is a bit busy, honeykins, he can't do it today" Ed's voice was filled with warning and Muffy knew to back off.
All of a sudden there was a stir from the floor – Mummy was coming back to consciousness.
Mrs Crosswire picked herself up and without looking at either one of them, stalked out of the room.
Muffy motioned to run after, but her father caught her arm. "Leave your mother alone – she's a bit crazy".
Muffy wanted to argue and say 'My mother is NOT crazy!" but she bit her lip and nodded to her father. He shot her a grateful smile and took out his mobile phone to ring a colleague "Darn! The phone lines are still down" he exclaimed. "I'm in my office if you need me" he added, leaving the drawing room.
Feeling a bit sick, Muffy left too. She desperately wanted to call Francine – or anyone and tell them about this, but the storm outside was still raging fiercely. She knew that she was way too mature for an 8 yr old. "Oh well" she sighed. "At least I've seen these sorts of things on the OC and I know how to deal with them."
But somewhere inside Muffy, she felt as though Mummy and Daddy's fighting was her fault and this made her feel sad.