Contemplative Sensitivity

Circumstantial Victims

The Headmaster quietly closed the door and then turned to face the four that sat in front of her big, mahogany desk. 

"You are the first adoption of the day," She started gayly. "I'm sure about ten more will follow."

"This orphanage has a very high adoption rate," John nodded approvingly.

Headmaster Zoë got a good look at the four. Harold was rather large with big hands and a big voice, his hair was a messy red (the brightest red she had ever seen) and face that was starting to develop laugh lines. His wife, Desmonia, had dark skin; she was extremely skinny, and her hair was a dull brown. Her eyes had bags underneath them, but they were a nice shade of green and her nails had been styled expensively. Martha, Harold's sister, had reddish-brown hair and grey eyes and a hard line about her lips. John had blonde hair and blue eyes, but he carried the same professionalism as his wife. Headmaster Zoe smiled even wider--this was bound to be interesting.

"Please, enlighten me. What brings you to our Orphanage." 

"The children," Desmonia's voice sounded more snakelike than ladylike. 

Martha cringed and finished the sentiment: "This is the best orphanage for miles. We've heard so many positive things about Saint Carolina that we had to get a look for ourselves. We weren't disappointed."

John squeezed his wife's hand. "I'm a doctor and she's a teacher. We got married six years ago. We started trying for a family the night of our honeymoon, but we had no luck. We tried IVF and still nothing. Finally, we went to the doctors two years ago and that's when we learned that I was the one with fertility problem. We decided to adopt."

Harold squeezed Desmonia's bony shoulder and nodded. "Aye--,"

"We aren't Scottish, Harold," Martha cut in sharply.

"Let a man have his fun," he whined, but his smile never faltered. "Desmonia and I have always known we wanted a family ever since we met in sixth grade. So when we got married ten years ago and no babies came, we got ourselves checked out. My wife and I are fertile, but she has a special disease which prevents her from gaining weight. If she were to get pregnant,  both mother and child would die sometime during the pregnancy. Too great a risk."

"I'm sure our stories aren't unique," Martha said apologetically.

"You don't need a unique circumstance in order to adopt from here." Headmaster Zoe said as she searched for the adoption papers. "You four are qualified to make a child happy and there is love in your hearts."

The four looked among each other while Brenna fumbled for a pen.

"We heard a rumor that a Saint Carolina child comes with a one page letter from their birth family." Desmonia hissed despite the soft expression on her face. "Is that accurate?"

John shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Martha gave him a sad look. It was Harold's turn to roll his eyes.

"It is true, Mrs. Dwyer." Headmaster Zoe said honestly. "The children have their own letters. If a child ages out of Saint Carolina,  they are given the letter the day they turn sixteen. If they are adopted, we recommend adoptive parents not to show the child their letter until they are eighteen."

"Have you read any of the letters?" John asked eagerly. "Do you what kind of information they contain?"

"Mr. Brown, it is against our policy to peak at their personal letters. We are sure that some letters contain information about family and we are also sure that some letters advise against reuniting. Either way, the letters are the children's right. It is wrong to deny a person the chance of  uncovering important answers."