Macquarie's Christmas wish (A Magical Christmas Story)

Sanford Blurncho Orphanage

The boys were watching and waiting for the tall white lady with freakles and a crocked nose to complete her words. She was from the public charity that normally brought money, clothes, snacks and drinks that people donated to the foundation she runs. The boys continued shifting their gaze to the drinks on her left corner. They couldn't wait to have them with their lunch which would be served in minutes time. Macquarie scratched his hair and sighed deeply. He saw her explaining the sentences she made too much. She was talking about how much the society cares for the needy and less privileged and how they wouldn't stop to make sure they don't lack anything. In lady Hansel freakles, what the boys call her in whispers, Macquarie could sense sneaky and cheating in her bright brown gaze. She was definitely taking a large portion of whatever was given for them, for herself. Sanford Orphanage was divided into the boys section and the girls section. They were only allowed to see themselves when it was time to eat. Macquarie couldn't wait to see the girl that he admired. Hissing and sounds of murmurs came from the boys because the time for eating had reached to soothe their grumbling stomachs, but Macquarie stayed quiet, partly listening to the lady's high pitched tone and greatly thinking about Adeline. The girl of his age with the smooth face.
“Be quiet!“ Mr Clinton, one of the orphan keeper scolded the boys. His finger met his lips. His eyes warning danger and punishment. The boys became quiet. They feared him because of how extreme he could get in making them suffer for any little wrong they did. According to his saying, when your name enters the black book, you must do everything to put it out. Meaning all the punishments he assigned to you. There was a time Gideon, Macquarie's bed mate, bed wetted on his bed. The boys had tried to hide it but unfortunately Mr Clinton came to know because he was the one on duty of making sure they're up and ready before 8am to meet the priests, the owners of the orphanage. He saw the wet urine that had spread out on the bed. He'd shot his dangerous eyes at Gideon. Gideon had started crying even before the long cane on Clinton's grip struck the little boy's arm. They all saw the red mark that popped out of his skin. Clinton had screamed. He was commanded to take the bed outside for the sun to hit on it. Gideon had washed the bedspread and later on, in the afternoon, Mr Clinton had punished him. He'd washed the toilets and cut the large portion of grass at the orphanage home backyard. Gideon had cried and worked all day with empty stomach. He only had dinner which was two toasted bread and a cup of bland tea. Macquarie tried to avoid getting into any problem at the orphanage.
“So boys, be good, and may the protection of the lord almighty be on you, Amen.“ She ended her long unending speech. By the look on the boys faces, they were thankful she'd stopped talking.
“It's time for lunch. Go quietly to the dining room and have it.“ Mr Clinton said to them and went to talk a little with the woman. One by one the boys stood and headed unsoundly to the large room with desks that was recently made the dining room. The other one they were used to, was abadoned because the ceilings were broken. They feared the rain would fall on them if it starts to rain. Macquarie wondered if it was fixed yet. When they got to the dining-hall, they could see the girls already eating their food. Macquarie's eyes searched for his crush and finally saw her drinking water from a cup. He smiled and sat down. His friends, mostly his roommates, sat together with him. They stared down on the plate in front of them. Two little pieces of pork meat and a small portion of rice. Macquarie knew it would either be too salty or too tastless. But what could they do, they were hungry and must eat anything given to them or else they would want to starve until evening when it was time for dinner. He shoved a bit of the food into his mouth and chewed. He was right. It was too tastless. Macquarie looked up again to Adeline. Their eyes had met. He waved her with a smile but she rolled her eyes and removed it from his. She'd looked at him with disgust. His left hand went to the cup and drank the warm water probably gotten from the tap and boiled. He knew everything in the home at the back of his mind. Macquarie had learnt that he was brought into the institution when he was only a baby left by the roadside. Often times he reasoned who his mother was and why she abandoned him. It made him teary to realize she never wanted him. He'd finished the food on the small round plate and was waiting for the moment the bell for lunch ending would be rung. In Sanford Blurncho, when the bell for lunch ending rings and you aren't done feeding, you must stop eating immediately and follow the boys out to avoid punishment. To Mr Clinton, it was discipline. Macquarie's eyes continued watching the girl that was also waiting for the bell. She made sure she avoided her gaze going to him. Adeline disliked the 10 years old blonde hair boy. She saw him dirty and unkept. Although having the nicest blue eyes that made him adorable, she still looked at him as the weirdest human she told her heart he was. The bell came, and the children were standing on their feet. They were quietly reaching for the door when Mrs Zendaya, an orphanage keeper stopped them. She'd the most sweetest and friendly smile. She was the best amongst all the institution custodians. She didn't fail to always remind them that they were special when the others put it to them that they were unlucky unlike the children with parents. Macquarie wanted a father, to call Dad, and a mother to call, Mum. He hoped greatly that he would be adopted.
“Sit down boys,” she specified. “I've got something to tell you.“ she said with her tiny voice. The girls scampered away while the boys remained. Looking at Zendaya, one could tell she was in her early thirties. At a time, she had been annoyed at the little amount of food and inadequate proper care given to the boys whilst the charity organizations and governments pumped millions of money into the institution for their wellbeing. She'd threatened to complain once when she saw it continuing. The manager had reminded her that she hired her and she could be fired, but promised her everything was under control and she would see to it that they are fed and clothed properly.
“Who, just like me is excited for the Christmas season approaching? I want to see your hands up.“ she told them playfully and watched their hands waggling on the air.
“Good.“ she nodded. “I bring news. Houston church wants you boys to sing on Christmas day, so we've got to practice so well to impress them. You know if we impress the priests and people over there, we definitely would be coming back with something, would I say tangible.“ she told them. Zendaya without the knowledge of the institution, had written a long letter telling the church which she knew much of, about the talents the boys bestowed when it comes to their singing abilities. She wrote that they should sing the Christmas carols in the church. The church had written back that they've accepted what she asked. With a little note at the ending of the letter, 'that, they couldn't wait to hear the talents she spoke of. Zendaya had read it with all smiles. She knew they would do well because of their tune when they sang in the choir. She knew she would need some assistance from the Choir master who comes to the orphanage only during weekends. She'd told the Orphanage manager, Mrs Nora Roberts, about the letter she sent to the church and the message she received. Mrs Nora had appeared upset but later agreed seemingly because they could receive funds for the institution from the church and people. “Go ahead. But the practice is only for one hour.“ she'd stated out. Zendaya wanted to speak that she saw an hour too small for the practice but remained quiet. She prayed to God that the boys would use the hour until Christmas day to tell the world of their voice. Houston church was one of the biggest church in the world.
“Who's in?“ The boys raised their hands up above their heads again.
“Very good!“ she clapped. “We've been assigned one hour for practice. We wouldn't misuse the opportunity. Now,” she pointed. “go and freshen up. We're meeting at the small hall.“ she said to them. The small hall was where the boys and the keepers goes to for church. The mustache priest was there every Sundays to celebrate mass with them.
The scurrying of their feet was heard. They didn't fear to be punished since Zendaya was standing and watching them leave. They were sure she would protect them from any punishment at that hour. “Macquarie.“ she called the boy going away quietly. Macquarie turned and was going to meet her.
“Your birthday is on the 23rd of December.“ she said. At least that was what he was believed to know every year. That was the day he was brought into the orphanage and so it was marked as his birthday. He looked at her eyes and nodded. She smiled and patted his hair. The Innocence in his eyes were beautiful to Zendaya. She felt the want to protect him like the first day she was handed the little baby that had fallen asleep on her arms.
“I promise you a cake. A big cake where you would make a wish for it shall be granted.“ she said, and Macquarie's urge for Christmas and his birthday rised. That was the first time he would ever have a cake for his birthday. He nearly would shed a tear as he blinked his eyes. Macquarie knew what he wanted to tell whoever would grant his one wish. He saw a little light fly past him or was it his imagination. Macquarie kept on gazing at the spot he thought the tiny light had crossed to.
“Macquarie, I want you to lead on that day. You have a lovely voice. Go, follow the rest and freshen up.“ she'd called him back from his thoughts. He nodded and walked away still thinking of what he thought he'd seen.