Scarlet - Part 1

Family.
Aubry didn't think that he would ever understand what that word really meant. How many "families" had he gone through now? Four? Five? This one would be no different than the last.
The social worker rang the doorbell of the large white, barn-like house for the second time. She seemed to be growing impatient.
But of course she was, right? She probably had other children to deliver.
Behind the door came a loud thunk. The social worker's hand flew to Aubry's shoulder in fright, and Aubry rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets. New place or not, he couldn't wait to get the lady off of his back.
As the door opened, Aubry came to understand the nature of the loud noise they had heard. There were three rowdy young boys standing before them in the doorway - all shirtless (one pant-less) and covered in a blur of bright colors. The pant-less boy was laying on the ground face first, crying into the shabby floor mat that lay at the bottom of the stairs, while another boy sat on him, taking a purple marker to his back.
They all seemed to be younger than eight - the boy who had opened the door was easily the oldest, and he stood there staring at the two strangers on the porch with a blank look in his eyes, his mouth gaping open as if he didn't know what to say, one hand absently picking at his lower lip.
The social worker finally composed herself and, in the best "child" voice she could muster, she asked, "Is Mrs. Altor home?"
The boy on the carpet stopped crying and looked up. The second boy who had been drawing and laughing the entire time also turned and offered a blank stare, as if just noticing their presence.
Aubry began to grow uncomfortable with all three pairs of eyes staring at them.
"She's taking a bath," the boy on the floor grumbled. Silence filled the air. It was as if the social worker had been completely caught off guard and didn't know what to say. Eventually, she let out a sigh. "This place is always out of control,"
Aubry threw her a glance as if to say, no kidding!
The door shut in their face.
"Are you serious?" Aubry asked incredulously.
"The Altor residence is well known for being...difficult." The social worker said.
"Then why are they allowed to be foster parents?"
The social worker fixed Aubry with her bright blue eyes. "They have a bit of special circumstances."
"Excuse me? What do you mean?"
"Well --,"
The door flew open again. A woman with chestnut brown hair stood nearly panting in the doorway. "I am so sorry," were the first words to come out of her mouth.
She invited them inside, introduced herself as Catherine Altor, and explained how she had been forcibly indisposed in the bathroom after the three boys Aubry had seen earlier had locked her in her own bathroom. He didn't even bother to ask her how - he was sure that he'd find out sooner or later.