My Name

Chapter 24 Goodbye

I rush to the church, asking for directions as I pass through town. I finally see it. A small church with a few buildings next to it. 

I walk up to the entrance and see a nun cleaning.

Me: Excuse me! Sorry I'm here to see a boy named Jack. I was told he lives at this orphanage. 

Nun: Oh, hello there, um yes Jack is in his room. Poor thing he has been there all day since he heard the news about Ronald. Personally, I find the whole thing rather hard to believe, but... life is full of surprises, I guess.

The nun directs me to the building next to the church where Jack is staying. I walk inside, Jacks room is on the second floor. I walk up to his room; the door is left open. I look inside to see Jack lying in bed and at the edge of the bed Scarlett was sitting, her face turns to meet mine.

Scarlett: I heard the news and rushed here. Dr. Ronald was a good friend to me and always took care of me when I needed it.

Poor Jack, he's been fighting with the other kids since the morning. All the other kids... they heard what happened and have been calling Ronlad a thief, Jacks been fighting them, but it's just too many for him to deal with.

He was crying in his bed when I came here....

Scarlett turns to Jack and gently caresses Jack.

Scarlett: He eventually fell asleep. We shouldn't wake him. He must be really tired. Let's talk outside.

Scarlett and I leave Jack in his room, gently closing the door behind us. We walk through the corridors of the empty orphanage in silence. All the children are playing outside... all except for Jack....

As we exit the orphanage, something catches my eye, bringing me to a standstill...

Two children were setting up baby plants on a stall and a nun was helping them. I walk towards the plants and look at them closely.

Nun: Oh, are you interested in buying some plants to raise on your own?  Not only will you get a good addition to your garden, but you'll also have the satisfaction of knowing that the profits of the money you spent on this plant will go to support the children of this orphanage. 

Me: (I remember now, Jack was angry at Ronald because Ronald would waste his money on plants just like the ones here. He'd buy them and forget to water them, causing them to wither away, but no matter how many times the plants died he'd keep on buying more... not because he's into making a big garden, but because he wanted to support the orphanage. Before I spoke to him, Ronald always took care of  Jack through the orphanage.... Ronald.... where have you gone? )

Scarlett: Oh no, he's just a traveler, he won't be staying here for long.

Nun: Oh, I'm sorry the-

Me: NO!

Me: I want to buy a one. 

Nun: Are you sure? these plants won't survive without proper care.

Me: Yes, I am sure, give me your strongest plant you got, I'll take good care of it, and even if it withers away, I can always come back to buy another one from you.

The nun smiles at me and goes to the stall and picks a plant. She gives it to one of the children. A little boy, much younger than Jack walks up to me and hand's me the plant with the biggest smile on his face.

Scarlett: So where to now?

Me: Well, I'd like to keep this plant back in my room and then pay your tavern a visit.