The Poe's house was small and quaint. It was a small tutor house made for the four of them, Mr. Poe, Mrs. Poe and their sons, Edgar and Albert. Suffice to say it was more crowded in there than usual. They all sat around the small table to eat. Edgar and Albert were fighting over whether the bird was a raven or a crow.
"It's a raven," persisted Edgar
"It's a crow," Albert fought.
"It's chicken," Mrs. Poe said as she almost dropped it on the table. "Boiled Chicken. And we have boiled potatoes and blanched string beans."
"What does blanched mean?" asked the eldest.
"It means boiled," Klaus answered.
"Nobody asked you," he said rather rudely.
"Now, now, son," Mr. Poe started.
"No, my darling Albert is right. Nobody asked the Baudelaires," Mrs. Poe interjected.
"Actually," Bree started before she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "Albert didn't specify who he was talking to. Had he said Mother or Father the question would've been limiting it to that person. Since however no one was specified, the floor was open to anyone. So he asked all of us including the Baudelaires and Porters," she stated. "Pass the chicken please."
Max smirked as he passed her the chicken, proud to have Bree on their side and Klaus was thankful to say the least for her defending him.
When they were finished, they retired to their room and bed. Yes bed. The Poes only had one spare bed. Thankfully it was a queen sized but the boys let the girls sleep on it that night while they slept on the floor. They were all lying awake feeling the dread they felt earlier wash over them. It felt as though they were under the waves feeling it move back and forth. No one really wanted to speak. Violet, Klaus and Sunny soon fell asleep but Bree and Max were still awake.
"Bree," Max whispered.
"Yeah?" she responded.
"I can't sleep. I'm tired but I feel like I have no reason to sleep," he said.
"I feel the same way," she said. "I need some air."
"Come on, Let's go take a walk," he suggested. They quietly left the room and headed outside making sure that they didn't disturb their siblings. The night was clear but nippy as they walked down the sidewalk, looking at the stars.
"This feels… peaceful," Max told her.
Bree sighed contently, "Yeah, it's calming."
"I don't know what we're going to do," he said.
"I don't either," she concurred. "Whatever we do we have to protect Violet, Klaus and Sunny."
"Absolutely," he agreed. He took a deep breath. They still felt like they were underwater but they could see a dim light above. They stopped at a park bench to sit down.
"Do you remember that time when you and Ben Tucker built that tree house in the backyard?"
"Yes, what about it?" he asked.
"After it was all finish you told me that this place would always protect me and so would you. You've always kept that promise but now it's time you share the load with me to keep Violet, Klaus and Sunny safe. Remember what your dad always said," she took his hand in her's and gave it a small squeeze, "We're stronger together."
Max held on to her hand for what was probably a bit too long. He couldn't have helped it though, for when you care about someone in a particular way you tend to hold on to that person not wanting to let go. I myself know that feeling all to very well. They looked into each other's eyes. Bree looked away as she let go of his hand. "I, uh, We should probably head back right?"
"Yeah, Yeah, Absolutely," Max agreed trying to ease the awkwardness of it all. They headed back to the Poe's house and quickly went to bed both falling asleep quickly.
When I looked into the brothers Poe years later I found that one followed his father and the other lives in a cave talking to sheep. Each one thinking the other had it better. The Baudelaire's fate however, was much worse.
The next morning they were awakened by the loud sounds of the Poe family clanging around trying to get ready. Already dressed they got up and headed down the stairs.
"Chop-Chop, Baudelaires, Now that I've found you a suitable guardian, I'm going to take you to your new home before banking hours begin," Mr. Poe said rushing them out the door and into the car. "I know you must be nervous about living with your guardian. I remember how I was at your age."
"But we're all different ages," Klaus said.
"Mr. Poe, you told us you've never had a close family member die before," Bree told him.
"So I did. You have a wonderful memory Miss Porter," he said to her.
Bree leaned against Max's shoulder so she would be able to converse more confidentially than not. Max found this enduring so he put his arm around her. "Did he really just say that?" she whispered.
"Unless we're both deaf," he whispered. "I'm not the only one who thinks this guy's a nut right?
"Either that or he somehow hit his head on something and inexplicably managed to only retain half of his brain," Bree joked back as they both gave off a tiny laugh.
"So who is our new guardian?" Max asked Mr. Poe.
"Well, I know he's certainly very eager to meet you. And he's employed as an actor, so you know his excitement is genuine," Mr. Poe said. The children all shot each other looks of concern confusion.
"Oh yeah he's definitely nuts," Max whispered.
"His name is Count Olaf," he told of him.
"Never heard of him," Violet told him.
"He's either Let's see. What is it?" he pondered. "Your third cousin fourth time removed, or your fourth cousin three times removed. In any case, he's removed. Still, he's only three miles away, and your parents' will was very specific about your being raised by your closest living relative."
"Does he really think that's what 'closest living relative means?" Klaus asked.
"Honestly Klaus, I have no idea what this guy thinks or even if he does half the time," Bree told him. That's why this drop off is going to be a bit hasty. Hasty means quickly."
"Mr. Poe we're children. Not idiots," Max told him.
Mr. Poe finally parked the car in front of what appeared to be a perfect tutor house. "Well, maybe this won't be so bad," Bree said optimistically.