Their sunshine

Chapter 2

Trigger warning - abuse

After saying goodbye to James, I walked to the orphanage. The first thing greeting me was a slap.

"Where were you, you stupid useless slut? Didn't I tell you to be back in an hour?"

"I am so sorry madam. There was a man"

"Shut up, rat! I don't want to hear your excuses. You were late and because of it you didn't cook and serve. I think you deserve a punishment. What do you say? Some time with my favorite belt?"

"Please, don't do this madam. I will try to be better. Please, just..."

"I said SHUT THE FUCK UP. I didn't give you permission to talk. Today you are not sleeping. You need to learn a lesson. After our session, you will do laundry and clean the living room, kitchen and playroom. At seven o'clock I expect everything to be clean and breakfast on the table. I am craving some pancakes. You know what awaits you if you fail. Now come with me. You deserve some beating."

....

When I've come to the orphanage I was excited to meet new friends. I wanted to be good to elders for my mum. I didn't expect I would meet my father's ex-girlfriend Marry, who would make my life a living hell. She and her favorite "daughter" told everyone lies about me. Now everyone hates me.

They made me wake up every morning at 4 o'clock to clean and cook breakfast. After breakfast I have to wash every plate - and let me tell you it's really hard to clean after twenty-eight kids and four adults. If I am not fast enough I miss my first class and it leads to punishment for being lazy. When I come home to school I have to do laundry and clean what I didn't in the morning and cook dinner. I love to cook, but sometimes it's tiring. After everything is clean I have to do my homework and go to sleep.

The children who are staying here don't like me. Every time they break something they blame me. And nobody believed me when I tried to purify myself. They just add another punishment for me lying and not admitting the truth. So I stopped trying.

Today is Saturday. I love Saturday and Sunday because only on those days I can go out and play in the park or go to the library. The caregivers don't care as far as I don't cause any trouble. They are just glad that they don't have to worry about me. I decided I will go to the park.

When I came there I saw James King sitting on a bench. It's been two months since our meeting. I thought he wouldn't remember me, but still walked up to him. When he saw me heading towards him, he smiled and almost shouted.

"Hey, Anna. How are you, darling? I am so glad to meet you again. You don't know how many times I went to the orphanage to thank you, but they told me every time that you were out. I gave them my number, so you could call me, but you didn't so I assumed you don't remember me or don't want to talk."

"Hi, sir. I am sorry. I didn't even know you were there nor any number was given to me. I am doing well. How are you, sir?"

"I am great. Thank you so much sweetheart for helping me that day. You were right. Almost everyone in my family forgave me. And I am trying to be a good father for them. I am going on their games, doing homework with them. Last week we were on a trip to an amusement park. So yeah. Everything is fine."

"What is it, sir? You look sad? Did something happened?"

"No, no, sweetheart. I just. Don't worry. It's ok. It doesn't matter. "

" Of course it matters. It makes you unhappy. Please tell me. Maybe I can help. Or at least it will help you to tell someone not just bottle it up."

" Fine. You see the boy sitting on the swing?"

"With black shirt?"

"Yeah. That's my son. He blames me and himself for the death. I tried to talk to him a lot of times, but he shuts me down and runs away. He is sad. And I don't know how to help him."