The Cider House Rules Novels & Stories

Willow I got that godforsaken video taken down. Bullshit IT guys pretend they know how to do something, then they can’t figure out a password reset to get into THEIR WEBSITE? It’s fine. I’m going to murder Devereux when I see him, though. Fair warning. We’re setting some hard rules next time we get drunk in public. Number one: no Jack. No boys. NO DICKS. I chuckle. Those are good rules. Willow Number two: No boys. Wait, I said that already. But I really mean it.

“You’re officially a heartbreaker, Jonathan.” Elizabeth turns away from the stove, setting down a wooden spoon. I just got home from work and the house smells amazing. “How so?” I ask, amused. I take off my shoes. “And what is that?” “Spiced cider. We can add rum to ours if you want.”

I nod my head even if I had no idea what that means. He places the book in the table between us. A few words are written in reddish brown on the brown surface. "What's in it?" I ask. "Basically rules, what is expected of a capo, a wife, an underboss, a solder and a couple other things I don't want to discuss. It has a list of punishments for traitors, or when rules are broken." his eyes do not move from me. My eyes looking at anywhere but him. I decided to focus on the book since we were talking about it.

"If you're unable to fulfill the above, you're not allowed to eat with us at the same table." ... "2. Outing Rules." "The Cloves emphasize the environment and being frugal." "Only walking is allowed for any location within 3 miles." "You will need to apply one day in advance for the usage of the car for any distance between 3 and 5 miles. If you fail to do so, you will not be allowed to use the car." "3. Guest Rules." ... The rules got increasingly ridiculous. What was even more ridiculous than those rules was the reason for Dina's death.

I set it on the kitchen table at 5:45am and had my coffee made and my bag ready before she came downstairs. The rules were reasonable. Separate bathroom schedules, she had mornings at 6:00am, I had 6:45am, no overlap, no ambiguity. No shared meals unless team events required shared attendance. No personal conversations beyond basic household logistics: fridge space, utilities, maintenance issues. Guests required forty-eight hours' notice. Common area usage would be staggered by floor. The microwave was not to be occupied simultaneously, because simultaneous microwave use in a two-person household was a documented source of unnecessary friction and I was not going to have unnecessary friction

“At least we won’t have to pretend to like you anymore.” Eva covered her mouth, holding back a sob. Mr. Hart stepped forward. “It’s decided. The wedding is in three weeks. Do not try anything foolish.” Her stepmother walked in quietly then, holding a glass of wine. She smiled sweetly at Eva, like she always did for show. Stella smirked. “Don’t feed her too much. No point. She just needs to look alive until the wedding.” Eva stared at them all, her father wiping his hands like she was dirt, Damien smirking, Stella smiling in satisfaction.

I looked across the entire room. “And one more thing. Everyone standing here tonight, remember this. The Leon family can replace a district boss. It can replace drivers, lawyers, mistresses, accountants, and even the groom at a wedding. But the rules do not change. Anyone who tries to use this family as a ladder to climb up the ranks, I’ll break their legs.” This time, every single person lowered their head. I knew this fight was far from over. The real retaliation would begin tomorrow. However, I had been waiting for this day for far too long.