Marshall

Pick one

I've never been told what was Dan's illness. Sadly I found out later. And I guess, he didn't feel like talking about it to make me worry more. Once the classes were over, I went back to our room. He was already there, playing with our puzzle.

- Dan! Hey! How are you? Feeling better ?
- Hey! I'm okay, thank you. I just ate something bad.. that's all
- Aw, I don't like belly ache. If you're better, you can come play football with me!
- Sorry but Mrs Rosa said I should rest today. We can take a walk but I better not get too exhausted I guess..
- Aw...
- Yeah. Tell , how were the classes?

I told him about the new kid who sat next to me. I didn't really have much to share . But he was listening nonetheless.

- David is nice, he talks funny but I like him. Maybe we should get him in our team
- He said he's going to leave soon. Besides, I already have you and Anton. We're cool together

And I didn't want to replace my best friend. Alas, Man proposes, god disposes ..

Things went the same for weeks. Life is not so interesting in an orphanage. It can be fun at times but never too exciting.
But then one day, a couple came to see Dan. Finally he got another chance to have a family.

Gabriel's POV

The couple appeared to be nice and honest. The woman was in her late twenties , the man in his early thirties. It seemed to me, he was more excited to get a little child.

-Are you sure you want this boy? God forbid me for wanting to take your fancy, but as I mentioned before, Daniel is very sick. We're trying our best to pay his treatments but his state is getting worse lately. I'm not going to sugarcoat Mr and Mrs Stormer. You need a lot of patience if you choose him. He's a very lovely little boy and deserves a loving family just like any of them here. But I wouldn't want you to bring him back after realizing that he costs you a fortune. He'd not survive that
- Oh but we would never do that to a child! I had three miscarriages, the doctor told me to be careful. We didn't dare to try again so..this is our only option.
- Mind us, we still would like to meet the other little child as well. What was his name?

I was more than sure if they see Daniel and Anton as well, there is no way they'd still want the younger boy.

- His name is Anton. They'll be here in a minute.

Little Anton was the first they met. He was shy at first but opened up quick, leaving the couple mesmerized by his little gentleman charm. I couldn't deny myself that this boy was a very good child, it was only matter of time before he finds a nice family.

- Isn't he the sweetest ?
- Of course he is, my dear. I'm all convinced. You're adorable Anton. I wish we could hear you playing violin. Sadly we don't have any at home.
- It's alright Mr Stormer. I got my own. I can play if you want

They were bought. But there was still Daniel. Maybe he didn't have talent and he wasn't a gentleman type but he was a real sweet child , mostly when he was alone from Marshall.
I knew if they take any of these kids their little team will break , and they'll miss the third member. But any of them deserved to be in a better place than this orphanage.
Now, it was time for Daniel. Sadly he didn't bring too much impression on them.

- ...and I like those big red cars, you know? They're so cool and go like wiuuu wiuuu!!

I could see the woman thinking. She seemed bored, her husband was trying to save this for them all

-Say Daniel. Do you like any sports ?
- I do ..but I can't do anything too exhausting..
- Is that so?
- But I Iike running around a little, playing hide and seek.
- That's cute my dear, but sadly we have a small house , I don't know if you can play hide and seek there
- That's okay lady , I sit outside then or play with the kitty or the puppy
- I'm sorry Daniel, we don't have any pets

The mood died. They weren't impressed. Once Daniel was gone, I asked the couple about the boys and their decision.

- Anton. That's all I can say.

The woman nooded at her husband's statement.

- Daniel is very sweet, but he seems weak. And we'd hate if he couldn't enjoy life with us if he can't do as many things as the other children can.
- And you think if he stays here, his life will be better ? He's been rejected before already
- Mrs De Rosa. We'd love to adopt Anton. He's very lively. We don't want to be heartless so , let's not give that poor little child false hope. We decided and it's final

I knew they'd not pick him . I warned them already. I never wanted Daniel to feel the same pain over if he's  being rejected again. But he had to face it.

Marshall's POV

It was snowing although it was only the middle of October. I found Dan outside, sitting on the stairs, crying silently.
He got rejected again. I sat   down next to him, to comfort him I placed my arm around his shoulder.

- I'm so tired of this.. no one wants me. I'll never have parents..
- You shouldn't give up
- You didn't see their faces! They were so disappointed.. I'm not the child they want ..

Dan has always been like a brother for me. We were inseparable.

- Maybe for the best. You said they have a small house and no pets. Sounds very boring if you ask me

I tried to be fun to cheer him up, but it didn't work this time

- I don't want to live here for the rest of my life... Why must they always reject me? Do I worth less than the other kids?
- Of course not!

His tears hurt me. He was only a child who wanted to be accepted . Life seemed to be cruel. Who knew it can get crueler?

- Dan please don't cry. Someone will come and they will want you and no one else.
- I wish. I want to be special to someone. I hate to be like this . I hate that I am...

He didn't finish his sentence and I was too busy comforting him
What he meant, he hated that he was ill and it prevented him from being adopted. Yeah, only if I knew it earlier. I felt sorry for him. He was a very friendly little child and the only one who was there for me anytime. My partner in crime.

Anton got a few more weeks with us so we tried to make the best out of it . Then he was gone..
Children came and left . But we stuck together. Now we were a duo. It was bittersweet. I was happy for our friend. I even asked him to give me his new address so we can send him letters.
And about Dan? He was sick more often and I sat alone most of times. There were weeks when he couldn't come to school at all..
..and I had a bad feeling about it