The twenty eight year old man was sitting in a recliner deep in thought. The decisions he had to make was driving him insane.
If only my wife was here I wouldn't have to make these hard decisions. He thought sadly to himself.
His mind went back 2 years prior..
"You're going to wear out the tiles of the floor from pacing," his best friend, Frank laughed.
"What's taking so long?" He replied with frustration.
"Babies take awhile. Sit down Jake. What do you want a boy or girl?" His friend asked.
The man stopped pacing and took a seat.
Boy or girl?
It was a game with his wife and him. She wanted a girl and he said he'd only be happy with a boy.
Visions of his boy and him playing catch in the park, teaching him how to hold a bat, and taking him to Yankee games came easily to mind. Those visions always gradually melted into visions of ribbons and curls, princesses, dolls, and tea parties. He smiled. Perhaps she would like baseball too.
He shook the thought away.
"I kid with my wife that I only want a boy. Truth is, a girl would be alright too. But don't tell her that." He chuckled.
A doctor walked out with a sober look.
"We did all we could, but your wife is gone."
"What about the baby?" He whispered.
"You have twins. A girl and a boy, and they are fine and healthy."
Jake shook himself back into the present. He sighed and stood up to check on his twins. He slowly opened the nursery door, and took a deep breath. He looked around the room. Memories of him and his wife laughing and looking so forward to their new child was all over the nursery. From the yellow room they painted together, to putting together the two cribs while his wife tried to read the instructions. Even the animals stenciled on the walls were a joint effort. Every step was done together, just like they were going to raise their family.. TOGETHER.
He walked over and checked his daughter first. She was sleeping soundly with little sighs. She was the oldest by five minutes. She was the leader, and he was pretty sure her first sentence was "Me boss."
He heard his son turn over. The man gently picked him up before he could cry out and wake his sister. He breathed in that sweet baby scent and held him close.. The boy didn't wakened. This little guy was more sensitive and and more easy going than his sister. Even at two, he would pat his sister's back if she started crying. If his sister took away his toy, he just calmly found another.
He held his son a bit tighter for a moment before putting him back into his crib. This decision was going to be so hard.
He went into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. What am I going to do?
That morning his newlywed neighbor told him that she could no longer watch the twins while he was at work. She had just discovered she was going to have a little one of her own, and morning sickness was keeping her in bed most mornings.
That was just the beginning of his troubles. Once he got to work, he was told that his work was moving to California and he could either move or lose his job.
How can I drive cross country with two toddlers? Who would watch them? What if I stayed, where would I work? Who would watch the kids while I searched for work or after I found work? Should I give up my children and move?
His girlfriend of three months dumped him when he chose his children over her.
Will all women refuse to accept his children?
What do I do??
The sky was turning purple and pink when he made his decision.
He tiptoed into the nursery and started packing clothes. He then walked over to the sleeping children. He gently picked up his daughter and got her dressed. When he was finished he did the same with his son. He carried his daughter and the small suitcase in one arm, and his son in the other.
He walked a little ways until he stood and stared at the building.
"Orphanage for Boys and Girls"
Stared back at him.
He took a deep breath and rung the bell.
"May I help you?" A stern looking woman asked.
The lump in his throat kept him from speaking.
He just quickly kissed his children and handed them over to the woman.
"I can't take them with me." He managed before turning and running away.
2 years later.
The now four year old boy let the lady comb his hair and straighten his clothes.
"Will they choose me today?"
"Maybe. Remember parents only want polite, good, and happy little boys."
"I'm good aren't I?" The boy asked unsure.
The lady whispered in his ear,
"One of the best."
The little boy smiled. The lady couldn't help smiling back at the boy with those cute baby cheeks and teeth. She led him toward the front of the line.
4 years later
The 8 year old boy scrubbed his face, his neck and behind his ears. This was the third Saturday of the month. The monthly adoption day.
Every month he scrubs up, combs his hair and practices his smile until it was time to be led into the big room.
He took his place in the line of boys, and tugged his shirt down, and smoothed his hair one last time.
The line of boys started their silent walk to the big room. The boy knew the girls were already there on one side of the room, the boys would be lined up at the other, and adults would walk down the line. If they saw a child they liked, they'd stop and talk to them.
The boy always searched for his sister the second he walked in. They always locked eyes and waved. As people would start to walk by,, he would smile his biggest smile while his eyes always pleaded; pick me, please, I want a family so badly.
Sometimes people would stop and speak with him, but they always moved on. Afterwards it was common to hear sniffling and sometimes outright crying by those not chosen.
One adoption day, it seemed normal. Boys on one side, girls on the other. The boy and his sister had met eyes and smiled at each other before the adults started picking children.
Not many adults were interested in the boys. The boy saw a couple speaking to his sister. She nodded, and said something as she pointed to her brother. The couple said something to her and took her hand.
The boy's heart stopped a moment, and he realized his sister was chosen.
As they walked out the door, she came running back in. She threw her arms around her brother.
"I'll write you. I promise." She choked out.
The boy couldn't help the tears as he watched his sister take her new parents hands and leave the orphanage forever.
6 months later
"Jacob, we just don't know what to do. We adopted this little girl,but all she does is cry for her brother. We can't afford to adopt him as well. I wish we could, but I just lost my job, and don't even know where we will live." The girl's new father said.
"Perhaps we can make arrangements for your family to move below. Maybe with other children she'd feel more at home?" Jacob suggested.
3 weeks later
Dear brother,
We are moving away, and daddy won't tell me where. I miss you so much. I hope we can someday be together.
I love you,
Your sister
PS I'm still older, faster, and better than you. Ha ha
Few weeks later..
Father was in his library reading when the little girl boldly walked in and plopped herself in the chair across from him.
"I need a favor," she blurted out.
Father smiled as he removed his glasses.
"I'm listening."
"I want my brother. He's my twin and I miss him."
Father sighed and leaned back in his chair.
"That's a hard favor to grant."
The girl sighed.
"Couldn't someone just go in and take him? It's not stealing, because he's my family. I know I pick on him alot, but I miss him."
The older man couldn't help noticing how her bottom lip had a slight quiver. I can't promise you anything. Perhaps we can at least inquire about your brother.
The little girl jumped up and gave the older man a big bear hug.
"Thank you." She said as she ran off.
The little girl haunted Father for days. He called upon a helper who was also a social worker for advice.
"I could write false transfer orders, and bring him to you."
"Will you lose your job for that?" Father asked worriedly.
"Not really. Children run away from homes all the time. Since he has no other family, no one will be looking for him."
Father sighed and nodded.
The helper shook his hand and left.
"Where are we going? The boy asked the social worker.
The worker smiled and said; "your new home. Don't worry child. You'll love it there."
As they entered Father's library, the girl looked up.
"Geoffrey!!!"
"Samantha!!!"
The children hugged for a few minutes before Samatha pulled away.
"I'm still older and better than you."
No comments:
Post a Comment