Paper Airplanes

The Day That Changed Everything

Lloyd Garmadon was an only child, and the child of Lord Garmadon, no less. Misako, his mother, seemed to dedicate more of her time to her archaeological findings, and noticed Lloyd was left on his lonesome more often than not, and that sure couldn't be healthy for such a small child. Being the spouse of Master Garmadon, she had connections to his brother, Wu, who knew of an orphanage for abandoned children.

"These children are not who you expect them to be. They have been abandoned by their own families, and left for dead to scavenge through garbage."

He told her. Misako always kept this in mind, and one day, while she was out at work, decided to do something about it. Lloyd was only a toddler, and Misako was too poor to call for a babysitter, so she would leave him at a run-down daycare that was in the boonies. The grounds of the daycare constantly got him sick, and even gave him pneumonia at one point. There were signs all around her that told her that she needed to change something.

As she approached the old chestnut doors of the orphanage, she caught the eyes of a young boy, no older than seven, in rags staring at her in amazement through the window. With a warm smile, she waved back, and he did the same with a toothy grin. This was the only child that came to greet her when she walked in, albeit so shy as to not even tell her his name.

"Who is this boy?"

Misako asked the lady at the front desk.

"Oh, this is Morro. He's seven, and is a veteran on these grounds. His parents are a complete mystery... but we've assumed he's connected to a lineage of sociopaths. I'll show you more children, ma'am. You don't want him."

At that comment, the child's eyes gazed down. Misako felt herself reach towards him spiritually. This poor child... dressed in rags, told no one wanted him. But...

"I want him."

Morro's wide black eyes shot up at her in bewilderment. What he saw was an angel. The receptionist scoffed, and pulled out some paperwork.

"Strange choice, but alright. So, what's this little twerp- uh, demon's last name going to be?"

They joked. Misako didn't think it was any kind of joke, and stood at the child's defense. Her gentle hand reached out to Morro, who took it hesitantly, and followed her to the front desk. The desk was so tall compared to him...

"His name is going to be Morro Garmadon, and you will not treat my child with such disrespect."

She fumed. The little boy's eyes twinkled at her bravery. His new mom stood up to that scary receptionist! The worker didn't seem to fazed, and Misako filled out everything she needed to, which, for some reason, didn't take long at all, as if they wanted this child out of their hands.

"Alright, Morro Garmadon. You better be nice to them, or we'll be seeing you back here."

The person behind the counter sneered. Morro hid behind Misako in fear; holding onto her hand tightly.

"By my will, I pray you never see this child here again."

The mother led Morro outside, and as soon as they reached the outdoors, she turned around to face the child behind her. He still looked like he had seen heaven, and she couldn't help but smile. Kneeling down on the concrete, she held his arms.

"Hello, Morro! Welcome to our family!"

She sang, picking up the child as he began to smile and grin. His grins turned to tears of joy. Her heart ached, but as soon as she realized he was crying out of sheer happiness, she adjusted him in her arms so that he could wrap his arms and legs around her figure. Without instruction, he did exactly as she thought he would, and rested his head on her shoulder.

"Thank you, mom..."

He whispered. Keeping in her tears, she gave him a smile and walked home. She was anxious about how Lloyd was going to feel about having an older brother, but this was for the better! Now Lloyd wouldn't be alone, and Morro had a home! Two birds with one stone! Perhaps she didn't completely think about how her biological son was going to feel about having an older brother, but now that this innocent child, ridiculed for an assumption that probably wasn't even true, had a home... that's all that mattered to her.