Adopted

The Orphanage

We reached the gates of the Orphanage at 9 o' clock. The arch stood high as always with the words 'Little Buds' over it. It was written in a very beautiful hand. I liked gazing at it every time I came here. I'd try copying it on a spare piece of paper when I was a kid. Okay. I still do.

The watchman knew us very well and greeted us as soon as he saw.

I handed him some chocolates that I knew would ultimately go down his son's tummy. He had a son who I think, must be in his 5 th grade.

"Happy birthday! Oh! How grown up both of you are." he said.

"Thanks uncle. How's terry? " Peter asked.

Terry was the kid I told you about.

"Oh. He's growing like a money plant!" uncle exclaimed with his hands moving in excitement.

I smiled and told him I was 17 now!

He was so happy, it felt like he'd just helped me up the mountain. He looked at Peter and suddenly his eyes widened.

"You'll turn 21 then, right? "

Peter nodded.

"Brilliant!" he said and patted Peter on the back.

We went in to meet Miss. Coulter in the main hall. There were a few kids playing around. The walls were usually filled with crayon art.
Peter and I distributed chocolates among the kids present and waited for Miss. Coulter. She owned this place and was the sweetest lady ever. She was so loving and friendly. She walked in tall and elegant. Though she was in her 40s she was as beautiful as 20. Peter didn't think so, though.
Her blond hair flew behind her as she came up to us. She cupped my face and gave me a kiss on the forehead. She hugged both of us and wished.
She hadn't married and was not planning to either. But then there was this assistant of hers who always gave me the feeling that he was going to propose to her any minute now. He never did, just so you know.
"Sam! Where's that gift I'd handed to you? " she asked her assistant.

He had a little treasure chest kind of thing in his hand. He handed it to Peter. I looked at him and narrowed my eyes.

"What about me?!"

"Oh, flower! You'll get your gift when you turn 21 too. Maybe there'll be something even better for you after 4 years. " said Miss. Coulter.
I made my sad face and stared at Peter. He gave me his mocking smile and opened it trying to act like he wouldn't let me see.
But, I ain't short. I was only an inch or two shorter to Peter. So I could see very well what was inside. It was a bracelet. Shining silver bracelet with very little work yet graceful. He wore it on his wrist and it looked amazing. I looked at Miss. Coulter again.
"I promise you, you'll get your special gift from my side when you turn 21. For now, I only have this little brooch for you. "
And it was pretty. I pinned it to my jacket and it didn't quite suit. So I pinned it to Peter's shirt instead. He didn't mind it, instead he struck a pose.
After a long talk with her and distribution of chocolates to all the kids there, we made our way to the next stop.
Don't get too excited, it was the grocery. Dad needed some vegetables to cook food. But, something more than just vegetables was waiting for us out there.