The trouble with the Farringtons

‘Okay, what is this school project, anyway?’

‘We have to make a giant family tree.’

‘...Oh no.’

‘Why “oh no”?’

‘Well… some families would have a much easier time of it than us, that’s for certain.’

‘Yeah, but the easy part for us is that we all have the same family so we can cut out so much work by working together on it!’

‘Exactly. It’ll be so easy to just… leave it to the rest of you.’

‘Oh no you don’t. Even if it’s all the same information we’re putting down, you’re doing all the craftwork on yours.’

‘Obviously.’

‘…Okay… We’ll make a start, then. Maybe we should’ve gone somewhere else. I don’t want us to take up too much space and make too much noise in the library like this. We don’t really need to be here for it.’

‘We brought you here because there’s no way we can go to theirs, and they can’t come to ours either.’

‘That’s true.’

‘And we asked you because you know it better than us and you can help us out with it.’

‘Alright then, I will. It won’t be difficult once we’ve set out an outline. But let’s not make it too complex. Did they ask you to start with yourself?’

‘Yep.’

‘Okay, well. Charon, you’re safe to go on the very bottom, while me and the triplets will need to be above you. It’s a bit lonely down there though, since obviously you have no siblings, and none of my siblings have children yet.’

‘And Vincent’s on the same level as us, right?’

‘That’s right. Because he’s our cousin.’

‘We have a lot of it figured out already, but we need you to clear a couple of things up. Because we dunno who your mum’s dad is.’

‘My mum’s dad…? But… none of you even knew my mum. She died before any of you were born…’

‘Like most of the tree? That’s the point, isn’t it, to make a record of a load of dead people?’

‘Yeah, and we knew Olivia, she lived with us for years! So we need to be able to put her and whoever she had your mum with.’

‘Well, it’s not relevant to you three, is it? You don’t need to go beyond Sheri, since you can focus on Roxxi’s relatives.’

‘But I’ll need to. You’re my only parent, Dad. I can’t put any aliens on there unless I make some things up.’

‘Look, that won’t be necessary. Maybe I need to have a word with the school. It’s insensitive to set a family tree school project in this day and age. Some kids don’t have a conventional family. Some grew up in care.’

‘We didn’t, though! And I wanna know, too! Can’t I be curious about where you came from?’

‘Oh, God, Charon… I was never close to either of my parents, so beyond that I’m totally lost. My grandad – Olivia’s husband – died before I was born. I never knew him.’

‘We only need his name.’

‘…I think it was John Atwood. I really don’t know anything about him, though. I certainly can’t go back as far as his parents.’

‘Maybe we could Google him and see if we can find out more about him.’

‘No! I mean, don’t bother, the school won’t be expecting you to go back that far. And you might struggle for space once you’ve added Aria, Saraya and the triplets.’

‘Doesn’t that mean we’ll struggle for space too, since you said we can add all of Mum’s family?’

‘No, it’ll be fine. You’ll be able to add your Mum’s parents, and then just your auntie Brianne, right? She hasn’t got any kids as far as I can remember?’

‘Not yet, but I hope that changes. I’ve always wanted a cousin.’

‘Hey, Dad… Was your mum an only child, or did she have any brothers and sisters?’

‘…No. Olivia and John only had one child. There aren’t any siblings.’

‘This is really complex.’

‘You’re telling me, Zeus.’

‘Why are so many of our grandparents dead anyway? I hear people at school who talk about having great-grandparents still alive.’

‘Well… Dad’s already over fifty. His grandparents would be really old if they were still around. Grandad Sterling died early of a heart attack, and as far as I’m aware, Grandma Isla is still alive.’

‘Do you know Grandma Isla?’

‘No, I wouldn’t say I know her… I haven’t seen her since I was a kid. I think Dad fell out with her…’

‘No, he goes to Bridgeport to see her sometimes.’

‘Oh… do you go with him?’

‘Nah. We haven’t met her, but she sends us stuff now and then.’

‘Ah, that figures. Has she met your mum either?’

‘Nope. Father says Grandma Isla is old fashioned.’

‘Yeah, I get what you mean.’

‘I don’t know what he meant by that, though.’

‘It’s probably better that way. Anyway, get yourselves sat down. We’ve got a tree to get on with.’

‘Alright.’

Out of prison

A few months later…



‘Are you sure about cooking? I can do it, you know.’

‘It’s fine. You’re tired. Besides, I honestly enjoy it.’

‘Well, if you’re sure… I don’t want to feel like I’m taking advantage of you.’

‘You’re not.’



‘Better that she’s cooking because she wants to rather than because it’s her duty, or some shit.’

‘I know. I didn’t want to come across like Tate, having you do the domestic stuff because you’re girls.’

‘If I thought you were like Tate, none of us would be here. Not even you’d be here; you’d probably be buried in the back garden.’



‘Fair enough, I guess... Anyway. I must admit, Ari, I didn’t expect you to agree to counselling too.’

‘Well… Edward’s the expert, isn’t he? I’m not happy, but I should at least try it.’

‘Yeah. And we’ve been through a lot, haven’t we? It’ll be good for us.’



‘It’ll be good for him too, right?’



‘Should be… though I wonder how honest he was with the doctor.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The drinking. I know we’ve been avoiding talking about this, but… I think he has a problem.’



‘You mean it’s not normal to start drinking at 8AM?’



‘Don’t be flippant, Aria. It’s a big deal.’

‘I know. But it’s hard to know what to say. I’d feel horrible criticising him after everything he’s suffered.’

‘That’s the problem, isn’t it? We don’t want to confront it because we’d feel bad. But it’s because he’s suffered that he’s doing it in the first place.’



‘I have to ask… where did he get the money to drink, on the streets?’

‘Begging, maybe doing odd jobs… Whatever he did, it would’ve gone back on alcohol. That’s why people are reluctant to give money to the homeless.’



‘But it’s not his fault he has an addiction!’

‘No, it’s not. It’s easy for us to judge, but we’re not the ones living rough. Sometimes people just do what they can to get through the days. Then once they’re hooked, it’s difficult to break out of it. People can die from alcohol withdrawal, you know.’

‘Oh shit, really?’



‘Yeah. There’s a detox process you can go through to make it easier on you. Because if you just stop… it’s horrible, apparently. It’s something he should’ve spoken to the doctor about.’

‘I guess if he didn’t… he might not be ready to stop.’

‘Mm… We’ll have to talk to him. Bad as I feel allowing it, though, I’m not just going to cut off the supply. That’d be cruel.’







‘So… you’re out.’



‘Holy shit! Edward?!’



‘Yes, it’s me. Well observed. What the hell were you thinking?!’

‘Shit… yeah. I, uh, wasn’t.’

‘You can say that again! Burglary? Punching a police officer? Not just any police officer, my nephew?’



‘Fuck, man… I didn’t realise, at the time. I only figured out who he was when I got to court. I’m really sorry.’

‘It wouldn’t have been any better if it had been some other officer, you know. But still. I tell you all about my family and then you go and assault one of them. What’s wrong with you?’

‘Very bad judgement, Edward. I admit it. I regret it.’



‘I shouldn’t even be talking to you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still grateful for everything you did for me, but what you did is inexcusable.’

‘Believe me, I get it… Hey, why didn’t you stay in my place? You left straight away. I told my family to find you and tell you to stay. You could’ve carried on livin’ there. I wouldn’t have sent you back onto the streets just ‘cos of my fuckup.’

‘I wasn’t going to live in your apartment without you, Stanley. I wouldn’t have been comfortable.’



‘Shame… I really wanted you to. Would’ve been the least I could do. You goin’ back on the streets is somethin’ else I regret about the whole stupid situation.’

‘I’m not bothered about that part. I’m more bothered about you fucking up your life and hurting my family.’

‘Well… At least I got a chance to talk to Ellis. I know he’s probably still pissed at me, but… maybe it made a difference.’



‘…Yes, I think he was a lot happier with it than he expected to be. He’s a nice person, Stanley.’

‘Yeah, he is. Wait… Are you back in contact with him?’

‘Yes. I live with him now. Tate moved out, so I moved in with Ellis and his sisters. They were kind enough to take me in.’



‘That’s great, man… I’m really glad you’re off the streets now.’

‘That’s why I said he’s nice. All of them. They’re very kind people. They didn't have to let me live with them, especially with all of my problems, but they did.’

‘'Course they would. They love you. Does they know 'bout us yet?’

‘No. I haven't had the chance to tell them. I’m not sure how to break the news that I’m friends with the man who assaulted Ellis.’

‘Fair.’



‘I’ll talk to him properly tomorrow. I just wanted to talk to you first.’

‘Right. Thanks for comin’ over, anyway. I was worried about you.’

‘Well, despite everything, I was looking forward to telling you the good news. About being off the streets for good, I mean.’



‘So… is there any way I can make it up to you? You got a job yet?’

‘Not yet, no.’

‘Well, I could use someone to help me out here, if you’re interested. It’s the least I can do.’



‘Oh… Thank you, that’s very generous. But I’m still not fit to return to work, yet. I’m… a work in progress.’

‘Say no more, man. I get it.’

‘Where are you living now, anyway?’



‘I gave up on the old place after you left. No point payin’ for somewhere I ain’t livin’. So now I’m in shared accommodation. Rentin’ a room not far from here. I don’t mind, it’s cheap.’

‘Ahh, I see. When exactly did you get out?’

‘Was a few weeks ago. My parents picked me up from the prison. They wanted me to stay in Miniopolis for a while but I wanted to come back to Sunset Valley as soon as possible. My business is here, my life is here.’



‘Of course. It makes sense.’

‘…We okay now, then? It’s fine if you’re not.’

‘I am, yes. I don’t know how Ellis will feel about me remaining friends with you. You're far from his favourite person, but he forgives you, and so do I. So I’ll wait and see what he says.’