The Orphanage

Chapter 6: What's Inside the Box?

                                                  30th August 1939
Dear Diary,

Today I woke up straight away, father said I was feeling better, and so did mother. I got out of bed, got into some comfy clothes and went downstairs for breakfast.

After, I headed off to school, said goodbye to mother, and went straight to my lesson. I've missed out on a lot at school, but I couldn't help being ill for 2 days!

I came home and ran straight up to my room and grabbed the key and the box. I told my mum I was doing my homework (even though I didn't get given any!)

I slowly locked my door, just to make sure no one was going to come in, and put the key in the lock... I started to turn the key, the anticipation building up inside of me, I was getting nervous... what if mother and father found out? What would I do? ...

Eventually, the box opened, and I saw a piece of parchment paper - that's the fancy word mother uses. I unrolled it and saw a lot of writing, some of the words I couldn't understand! I looked all over the page, and at the top in bold writing was 'Adoption Papers'. I started to get curious as to why there were adoption papers, I was sure no one was adopted, I went to look at the name on the parchment, and I froze. It read...

Adoption Papers
Adopted from: Miss Marigold's Orphanage for Girls

Elizabeth Clark -> Elizabeth Edwards -
-25/11/1930

At this point, I started shaking, it couldn't be real, surely not. I checked over and over and over again and I even had to pinch myself to make sure that it wasn't a dream. It had felt like I had known them since birth. I started to cry, tears streaming down my face, I couldn't believe it! I had to go and ask mother and father, I was so confused. But, at the same time, I was scared to ask - what if they were mad at me? What if they never wanted to see me again? I had to be brave.

I took the box with the adoption papers inside and the key, and raced downstairs. Then, mother turned around and saw me, standing there with tears streaming down my face. I had a feeling she already knew what it was, she took the box out of my hands and said, 'Elizabeth, please, I will explain everything.' She started to talk about the orphanage I stayed in, and how it had reflected on my life, I was really calm around mother, I didn't want to bother her. Father also comforted me on this, I was glad to have such supportive parents.

Then, mother told me that I should have a nice glass of milk and some cookies before I go to bed. I took her advice, and did what she said. Mother was right, I had felt a lot better afterwards.

Today was a very emotional day, and I found out a lot about myself. I will make sure to write more.

Bye Diary,
Elizabeth