The Orphanage (Candle Cove )

Chapter 9: Happy Birthday

Today, was Percy's birthday. He didn't want to remember his birthday, but the memories played over and over like tape on repeat. The memory of his father lying dead on the deck of the ship was engraved into his mind. He couldn't help but cringe at the thought that it all happened on his birthday. He truly missed his father, and wished for him to suddenly appear like this had all just been a bad dream. He woke up dreading that something would go wrong today. He felt an invisible heavy pressure on his chest as he tried not to think about the memory. The tears started to pour down his sad pale little face. He began to think of "What ifs" and "If i had done this" as he began to think of all the scenarios that possibly could've saved his father, more tears began to fall. He started sob and he hugged his pillow and cried. Everyday that he had spent in the orphanage, he always dreaded his birthday. Charlotte was walking through the hall when she heard him crying. She noticed this would happen on this very day of the month. 

Charlotte couldn't understand why Percy would cry so much on this day. It made her brain tick and she wondered what exactly caused him this much pain. After some given thought, she decided to ask him what the issue was. "You ok?" She asked as she sat at the end of his bed. He looked up and dried his eyes. "It's nothing, Lottie." He said and she shook her head. "Percy, its not alright to be keeping the bad and painful things inside. I notice you cry so much on this particular day, ever since you came here. However, I could never understand what caused you so much grief and pain. May I ask what is troubling you?" He sighed and with defeat, knowing she wouldn't give up on asking. He looked at her and said, "Today is my birthday... And I hate it. I hate it with the passion of my heart." Charlotte was surprised. "How could you hate your own birthday? A day for celebration of your next year! How could you hate such a lovely and wonderful day?" 

Percy wanted to tell her the many things that made this day, not so lovely or wonderful. He wanted to tell her about the day before he arrived at the orphanage. He just shook his head and said, "I just don't like my birthday. I'm just one year closer to my end. Everyone's lives are like a book, a book that has many chapters, and life is the author to the book... They decide how long the chapters will be... And sometimes... Life makes those chapters short." He said as he got out of bed with his head down and tears slightly escaping. Charlotte couldn't help but feel bad for Percy, so she began to plan a really good birthday surprise for him. 

Percy was outside, and he played with some ants and a magnifying glass, and the ant he aimed it on burned and died. "Hey, Percy. " Charlotte smiled. "Wanna play a game?" He looked at the ground before looking back up at her and said, "Ok, what type of game?" He asked and she then said, "Well, it's more like an adventure. C'mon!" She said and he walked with her. "Um... Lottie.... We're not supposed to go beyond the gates... Won't Ms. Damelia be cross with us for going outside?" Charlotte looked at him and said, "I dunno... I'm following the Pirates Code of Honor and nowhere does it say to listen to the mistress of the orphanage. " She laughed as she slipped through the gates of the orphanage. Percy smiled and walked through. "So where are we going?" He asked and she said, "Like I said... We're gonna go on an adventure!" Charlotte smiled and grabbed his hand and they wandered off into town. Charlotte led him to a candy shop. "Hello there young lady and young gentleman, what can I get for you today? " The candy shop keeper asked and Charlotte told Percy, "Pick anything you want. " Percy looked at everything and he looked at the bag of chocolate covered strawberries. It was a big bag so he thought he'd share with Charlotte. He picked it out and when he was about to pay for the bag, the candy shop man said, "No need. Today it's for free." He smiled and waved as the two leave.

 Percy found it a bit strange. "Percy, the circus is in town. Wanna go?" She asked and he raised a brow. What exactly did she plan today? He couldn't help but wonder... Was it because of his birthday? No... She wouldn't. He thought.  "Charlotte, we're not exactly dressed today for the circus. " She smiled then said "I know exactly where to go. " She took a strawberry and took a little bite and they went into a shop full of suits and dresses. Two people came out and the man and woman said, "Hello children... Welcome to our shop, what can we do for you today?" They said in unison. "Hello, me and my friend are looking to buy a suit and a dress to attend the circus today." Then the woman said, "Well my darlings, let's get you two dressed!" The man and woman dragged Percy and Charlotte into different rooms. They began to dress them up.  When they were brought back out. Charlotte was dressed in a beautiful simple green dress , her high heeled boots and with cute vanilla white gloves. Percy wore a blue vest, white long sleeve, white pants, his boots, and a cute black bowtie. "There you are! Magnificent!" The woman and man said in unison. "Thank you!" Charlotte snapped her fingers and the two adults were hypnotized for a split moment and she ran out with Percy, throwing their old clothes in the trash. Percy was surprised by this new behavior of hers. "Lottie! What on earth?!" He squeaked. "Oh c'mon! You seriously don't mean to tell me that you've never stolen before?" She laughed and Percy yelled through an alley they were going through, "Yeah, treasure, Lottie! Not clothing!" They made it to the circus and she took two tickets from some older guys who were flirting with a lady. "Charlotte! You're gonna get us in trouble for stealing!" He whispered. "Percy, relax a bit... Sheesh." She took the tickets to the ticket booth collector and the went in.