"Taylor!! Remember that this is really important. If this goes wrong we could be looking at a boatload of press in the next couple of days. Don't you remember what happened with the sea wall?"
Much to Taylor Swift's disappointment , her mom had called her publicist, Tree Paine, immediately after Taylor had decided to personally go to the orphanage to return the bear. It was true that this wasn't something Taylor was used to doing, but she really didn't think that she needed a publicist to explain how to say sorry and return a personal belonging.
After listening to Tree go on and on about possible repercussions, Taylor left her house at around 3pm with her guitar case and the stuffed bear in hand. The guitar had been Tree's idea (" You'll instantly be forgiven if you play something for the kids Taylor!") and for once, she accepted her publicist's suggestion without a fight. It was a breezy Wednesday evening, and Taylor opted to just take a small walk to the orphanage rather than having to drive. As the sun beat down on her face she almost regretted her decision, but then she realized that Tree would have most likely accompanied her if she had been driving and her complaint instantly disappeared.
After a short five minute walk, and a quick stop at Starbucks for a latte, Taylor finally made her way to a beautifully kept building marked with the building number 313. If one hadn't known any better, they would simply say that it was an office building, and Taylor had to triple check the address on her phone to make sure that she had actually arrived at the correct establishment .
Pushing open the door, the strong scent of antiseptic filled the air and Taylor immediately knew that she had arrived at the right place. She nervously glanced at her bodyguard who in turn gestured to the front desk where an old lady in glasses sat furiously typing.
"Um.. Hi! My name is Taylor! I think we spoke over the phone?"
The bookish receptionist gave Taylor a once over before smiling and holding out her hand.
"What a pleasure to meet you Miss Swift! I'll let Doctor Collins know that you've arrived and she should be out in a second.. please take a seat".
Taylor smiled and thanked her before making her way to the tiny waiting area. Glancing at the brightly covered magazines, she contemplated picking one up, but before she could decide on one to read a firm yet gentle female voice called her name.
"Taylor Swift?"
Taylor looked up to see a middle aged lady in a lab coat that could have only been Doctor Collins.
"Miss Swift! Thank you so much for coming, school is off for the day, and all the kids are so excited to meet you!! Do you want to meet them individually or play something for all of them at once?"
Taylor answered that anything would really be fine with her before she felt a light tug on her dress. The small little girl that she had met just two days ago looked at her beaming before reaching for the bear held in Taylor's left hand.
"Thank you so much for brwinging my bwear back!! Liza said you wouldn't but you did!!"
It was hard to tell who was more shocked in that instant, Dr. Collins or herself.
Crouching down to the little girl's level Taylor handed the ragged brown bear to the small girl before responding to her earlier statement.
"Aw it was no problem!! I'm so sorry that I couldn't return it sooner.. Your name is Maisie right?"
5 year old Maisie beamed at the attention she was getting before announcing her name and age excitedly.
"My name is Maisie and I'm 5 almost 6! And you're rweally prwetty and Liza and me have a picture of you in our rwoom on the wall!".
Dr.Collins was shocked. Maisie never talked to anyone who wasn't Liza. And how on earth did the singer know Maisie's name is the first place? The Doctor hadn't really noticed the wall decorations of the sisters' room before, but seeing the way that Maisie reacted to Taylor, Dr. Collins couldn't help but wonder if Taylor's presence would break Liza's silent and brooding mood just like she'd just seemed to break Maisie's.
Patting the five year old on the head (Maisie immediately moved away), Dr. Collins suggested starting at Maisie and Liza's room and then before the singer had time to answer, the five year old had already started tugging her through the double doors and down the hall.
Whatever misconceptions Taylor had of an orphanage were immediately shattered. Colorful paintings hung on the walls and looking through the windows of the rooms everyone seemed happy. She began to relax as she followed the chatty five year old to a room at the very end of the hall with a white door and a colorful flower on the handle.
Maisie opened the handle and Taylor as well as doctor Collins followed the energetic five year old into the room where the older girl that Taylor recognized from a few days ago sat on the floor doing what seemed to be homework.
"Lizaaaaa look who it issss!!"
The brown haired brown eyed girl chuckled at her sister before making eye contact with Taylor and immediately dropping her smile. Setting her pencil down, Liza regarded Taylor with a speculative analytical set of piercing brown eyes.
"Hello. I'm Liza nice to meet you again".
The older girl was no where as bubbly as her younger sister and her neutral tone held a bit of disdain. In response Dr.Collins cleared her throat loudly and gestured to talk to Taylor in the hallway before Liza spoke once again. The doctor was extremely confused at this point. How did a pop-star know these two girls?
"No Dr. Collins. I want everything said about me to be said in front of me".
Instantly Taylor could tell that there was some kind of tension between the doctor and the older girl, and she slowly watched as Maisie's face went from beaming to neutral, as if to match her sister's.
No. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.
Turning to Dr. Collins, Taylor inquired if she could meet with the kids alone, and after a little hesitation, Dr. Collins was more than happy to oblige. As the Doctor turned to leave the room, Taylor kept her gaze firmly fixed on Liza and noticed her visibly relax the second the Doctor left the room. When the older girl turned to face her once again, the disdain was no longer evident although the neutral expression still remained.
"Hi. I don't know if you remember but we've met before? I really like those posters..And I need to say that I'm terribly sorry for the actions of my bodyguard. I've talked to him and my entire staff...and I was thinking we could start over".
She got a slight nod from the older girl and feeling encouraged she continued on.
"My name is Taylor, and I'm a singer songwriter. I like cats and glitter-"
Maisie interrupted with a giggle.
"Anddd the beach and painting".
Taylor beamed at the little girl and was relieved when she saw a small smile appear on Liza's face.
"Hi. My name is Liza. I like good books and inspiring songs and math".
Liza gave Taylor a small but genuine grin before adding one last sentence to her introduction.
"And I'm also a big fan of people with morals. Thank you for apologizing, you didn't have to, but I sure am glad you did".
Taylor looked at Liza and chuckled.
"So are we good?"
Liza shook her head yes and Maisie beamed up at her.
"Good. I'm glad."
