Alignments

Chapter 5

"What do you mean we can't keep her?!" Walter shouted at the lady.

'Sir, I'm sorry, but your application wasn't approved."

"Why?"

"Well, the county has concerns with the fact that you didn't bring her into us immediately."

"It was nighttime and she was filthy. She needed a bath and food!" The wife shouted.

"I know, but..."

"Are you seriously saying that we can't legally keep her because we washed and fed her?"

"Simply put. Yes."

"You've got to be kidding me! That family had been gone for two weeks and left their seven year old alone with no food. She was going to the bathroom on a newspaper and cleaning herself with old clothes, but we're the problem?!"

"Ma'am, I am so sorry. I know that the situation is tough..."

"No, the situation isn't tough. Y'all want it to be tough. Y'all don't care about this girl or any of these children. Y'all care about a check. These are lives you're messing with. She needs to be in a loving home or who knows what will happen."

"We will ensure that the child gets the best care."

"The child? You can't even bother to say her name."

"Ma'am, please calm down."

"No. You have the opportunity to do the right thing here but you're more concerned with yourself than an innocent child. If something happens to her, it's on your head and you'll have to live with the guilt of knowing that you could've done something to change this child's life but didn't because you were in such a rush to get your lunch break."

"Excuse me?"

"I see you checking that clock. You've been checking it since we sat down. Is a fucking sandwich more important than a child's well being to you?" The worker looked at the woman.

"Ma'am, there's nothing we can do."

"Fine." The woman picked up her purse. "I don't know how you live with yourself." She stormed off. Walter got up and just shook his head at the lady before following behind his wife.

"I don't go with you?" The little girl asked.

"No, sweetie. They won't let us take you home."

"But we're supposed to make cookies."

"I know." The woman felt tears come to her eyes.

"You said we could."

"I know. I'm so sorry, but that won't let us take you. You have to stay here."

"No!"

"I'm sorry."

"No!" The little girl cried and hugged the woman. "I want to go with you."

"I know, but you can't, babygirl."

"Why?"

"It's just the way things are." They pulled apart. "Listen, you're about to go through a lot of things, but I want you to be strong okay." She nodded. "Whenever you're scared or sad, you just pray to God and he'll tell me so I can pray too."

"God will call you?"

"Yes, sweetie and one day he'll bring us back together. Okay?" The little girl smiled.