Three kids stood in front of their uncle. The oldest, a girl aged 8, was squeezing her little brother's hand. He, aged 6, was squeezing his little sister's hand. She, aged 5, had tears in her eyes.
Their uncle said, "I'll take the eldest," to the woman sitting at the desk.
"Sir, are you sure? You would be separating her from her siblings," the woman said.
"Just do your job, woman!" their uncle barked. Then he turned and looked at the three children. "Have you seen the colour of their skin? Don't know what my sister thought when she married a Asian-Latino!"
"Sir," the woman said sternly, "please do not discriminate against people with different colours of skin. That is racism and this orphanage stands against it."
"Oh, please! Do I look like I care? Those filthy—"
"I will call the manager," said the woman, her voice hard as steel. "I will not tolerate hate."
The man gave a hearty laugh. "Do whatever you want! Give me my white niece and let me leave!"
"Sir—"
Their mom's brother took the eldest girl by the arm and took her outside while she struggled. "You can't leave them!" she argued. "Bring Miguel and Martina with us!"
Their uncle sneered. "Come on, Elena." He pushed open the door.
Before the eldest sister went outside against her will, she whispered to her siblings, her eyes shining with tears, "I love you and I'll be back. Take care of each other."
YOU ARE READING
Acceptance
General FictionMiguel Aatmik Madan-Ortiz has been living with his younger sister and adopted parents since he was six. His younger sister, Martina Apsara Madan-Ortiz, had been diagnosed with autism when she was 5. His older sister, Elena Amberlie Madan-Ortiz, was...
