How Could I?

Chapter 2

Bruce ran into the orphanage and startled the young lady at the desk when he slammed his hands down on the desk. "Ah! Uh, hello?"

"I'm looking for Charlene," Bruce said.

"Uh, ok, hold on," the young girl said then got up and walked out of the room.

Bruce walked over to a picture of what looked to be like the entire group of kids at the orphanage, including Dick. Dick was smiling, but Bruce could tell that he was miserable. "Hold on, Dick, you're almost back home," he whispered.

"He's over there," the young girl said.

Bruce turned around and smiled. Charlene recognized him immediately. "Mr. Wayne, good to see you again," she said smiling as she walked up to him and shook his hand.

"Good to see you, too."

"Come, let's go to my office." Bruce nodded and followed her. Once the door was closed, they both took a seat at her desk. "So, what can I do for you?" she asked still smiling.

"Well, I was wondering if there was any way I could readopt Dick." Charlene's smile faded, but didn't interrupt. "You see, I made a terrible mistake," Bruce continued, his smile now gone. "Dick is the most important person in my life. I was being stupid and selfish when I brought him here. Please, is there any way for me to get him back?"

Charlene sighed. "Mr. Wayne, I would love to help you. Finding loving homes for our kids is our goal here, but I'm sorry, I can't help you."

Bruce looked at her shocked and a bit worried. "Why not?"

Charlene leaned forward. "A few days after you brought him here, a couple came in looking for an older boy, around Dick's age, to take in as a foster child. When they saw their choices, it didn't take them too long to decide."

Bruce closed his eyes crushed. "So he's gone."

"I'm afraid so, yes. I'm really sorry."

Bruce sat there for another few seconds then got up and looked at her. "Thank you for your time." He then walked out of the office and back out to his car. Tears were forming in his eyes, but he held them back. 'I was too late.'

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Alfred was dusting around the study when Bruce walked in. "Master Bruce, what are you doing home?" Alfred asked, but then saw the tear stains on Bruce's face and he knew something was wrong. "Sir, what happened?" he asked as he sat the duster down.

Bruce sat down in the armchair in front of the fire place and stared at the picture of John and Mary. "I failed them, Alfred. I failed them, and I failed Dick." He then looked down at the ground.

Alfred placed a hand on Bruce's shoulder, but Bruce didn't move. "I know, Sir, but there's nothing you can do about it now."

Bruce finally looked up at Alfred. "Why didn't you tell me he got adopted?"

"I didn't know until after I went down to the orphanage this morning," Alfred replied sadly. He then walked over to the duster again and continued dusting. "You do realize that this never would've happened if you listened to me in the first place," he said with a bit of a bite, not even looking at Bruce.

Bruce actually sunk a little lower in the chair. "Yes, I know I messed up, and now I have to pay for it." It was quiet for a while; the only noise was the crackling of the fire and the sweeping of the duster. "Alfred, what did you mean when you said something wasn't right?"

Alfred stopped dusting, looked down and closed his eyes, then turned and looked back to Bruce sadly. "I don't know for sure, but every time Master Dick called, he always sounded scared or in a hurry like he couldn't be on very long."