She Hides Behind a Smile

Making Amends

Once again, Natalie was taken away, but to a foster home. A family willingly took her in, without even meeting or seeing her. At first, Natalie was skeptical, but who wouldn't be? A random family keeping her, without even seeing her the first time and instantly taking her in. It was rather suspicious.

"Oh Natalie? Will you come down for dinner?.. you should come eat or your social worker will think we aren't feeding you sweetie. And we don't want you to go into an unhealthy home." The mother said.

Natalie was actually taken in by a nice couple, but she was having time getting used to it. She stayed in her room all the time, and she would nearly panic whenever someone came into her room. She was still a wreck, but slowly getting better. At this point, she had been there two months, and it was getting closer to her birthday. They wanted to have her a party, but they knew she wasn't ready to be around anyone quite yet.

During these times, Wendell would stop by to check in on her. She slowly accepted him back into her life, day by day as he would come by, bearing small gifts for her. Eventually she grew comfortable enough to sit in the same room as him, but she couldn't take being touched by anyone other than a doctor.

Natalie slowly ascended downstairs, peeping around the corner like a small kid. Her bruises had been healing very well, and she looked healthier, accept for her still being rather small and frail. She slowly walked to the table once she was in the kitchen, and she fiddled with her fingers. The mother, who goes by the name of Katlyn or Lyn, has an enthusiastic smile on her face. She was glad to see Natalie leave her room for once in the two months she had been living there.

"I'm happy to see you finally come join us sweetie.." She said.

The father, who's name was Richard, smiled warmly at her. He sat on the far end of the table so she would be most comfortable. Natalie provided a small smile, and she sat down.

"Thank y-you... for being patient w-with someone like me. I'm sorry f-for making you wait for so long..." Natalie said, looking down at her lap.

The couple chuckled quietly at her, and Katlyn pushed a plate of food and a glass of juice in front of her.

"Don't worry Natalie. We chose you so that you would be safe with us. We don't make empty promises or hurt others. We work with special children like you, and don't ever think we aren't happy while taking care of you. All we want is to see you smile once again." Richard said.

Natalie had small tears running down her cheeks as she smiled, and she pressed her thumbs together gently.

"Thank you.."
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After dinner, Natalie did the dishes alone in the kitchen. She leaned against the counter once she finished, listening to the faint sounds of the tv coming from their bedroom downstairs. Natalie had the entire upstairs to herself so she would feel less cramped and more open, but she hadn't seen what all was up there.

Once she finally decided to see, she ascended the stairs, and walked around. She looked through the rooms, her eyes becoming bright as she saw her desk from her father's home, and all over her little sculptures she had made. They had made their old sunroom into her very own art and work studio where she would feel at home. Natalie smiled happily, sitting down on the floor as she hugged herself gently.

She had been so afraid to come out of her shell, she hadn't even noticed the room at first. There was one other room for Natalie, but they hadn't told her anything that was in there. She slowly walked to the room, and she opened it. Her eyes sparkled once more, and she held her hands over her mouth. There was a violin sitting in a case with her name engraved on it, and she laughed softly with happy tears.

She couldn't believe that someone would be so kind to her after all she had been through. Though, she didn't remember telling them anything, and that's when it clicked. Wendell. He had been telling them everything she loved from the time she was small, to the little time they had been cherishing during high school together. There were also closets lined with the color orange, which was her favorite, each one was a different shade. In each closet there were jackets for her, different clothes and wardrobes, dresses, and even makeup if she wanted to wear it.

Natalie felt like they were treating her like a Princess, and she was happy they were doing so. It made her feel a lot less lonely inside, and at knowing Wendell went all out just to do this for her, the spark began to rekindle for him. He had her forgiveness already, but now he was slowly regaining the love he once through out the window without thinking.

Natalie went back into her room, sitting on the couch over by the window. The house they lived in was just about as big as a mansion, but with fewer rooms than one. Wendell's family had moved down the street, so they would be close enough just to make her happy again. As she looked out the window, she finally figured out what Wendell had said to her before. The difference.

There was a difference between love and hate, spitefulness and accidents. Between mindfulness and ignorance, between fear and anger. The real difference between a promise and making amends to someone you really loved.