Orphan

Chapter 67

Staring back at the car as it made a U-turn and drove off only elevated my anxieties about this afternoon, Harry seemed oddly comfortable about the idea as he stood beside me, maybe it was because this was like revisiting home for him, his childhood home. "Hey, do they know that you're coming today?" His eyes scanned over the building in front of us, the dull, rigid grey brick blending into the grey cement used to hold them together, paired with the wilting leaves from the shrubs surrounding the building only made this place seem even less lively. When we got closer, however, the sound of laughing toddlers and the pitter-patter of running little feet countered the building's exterior. "She knows I'm coming." He muttered in a straight-tone, I had been so entranced in the feeling this place gave me that I'd forgotten all about the question I had asked. The building was covered by two large trees and some bushes which had sprouted small white flowers, some of which were scattered on the ground, beginning to brown – the scent of nature and home cooked stew fragranced the air just outside of the doors of the entrance. "Where is she?" Harry turned towards a security guard who had seemed to identify him, "She's in her office, very excited to see you. You're looking well." The guard smiled, patting his shoulder as Harry gave an appreciative nod before making his way inside, tugging me along like a toddler.

The inside of the awfully dull and worn out building was quite the opposite, it was lively, colourful, and filled with the laughter and the yammering of little kids. It seemed cruel to think that none of them had a home, and that Harry used to be one of them. The children were very invested in their various games and activities around the room, none of them paying much attention to us as we stumbled past over building blocks, action figures and worn out teddies. A stray ball came flying towards us, and against Harry's leg, stopping us both dead in our tracks. I held my breath as Harry's head turned to the direction of the ball's origins, staring directly at the little girl and boy, who seemed to be about 8 to 10 years old, they stood a few feet away. I didn't quite know how to react, I didn't even know how he would react, they were just kids – but he was Harry.

He bent down letting go of my hand, face expressionless as he picked up the ball and kept his eyes glued on the kids for much longer than was comfortable, I watched his jaw clench. "Harry, it was an accident, they're kids...just toss the ball back." I mumbled under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear as I placed my hand on his shoulder. He shrugged off my hand and made a 'come hither' motion with his finger, directed to the kids. They walked up to him, the little girl holding out her hand. "Can we have our ball back, please?"
"Why should I give it back when you can't look after it?" He sassed, eyebrows creased clutching the ball, lifting it up when she tried to take it. "Harry, just –"
"Shut up, Monique." He spat, barely even glancing at me, his attention fully fixated on the little girl as the boy stood idly by. "I've been stood here for a while now, and I don't think I heard an apology."
"Sorry mister, it was an accident." She spoke in a hushed tone, her head bowed low now. "That's better." He tossed the ball back and gripped my hand once more, making his way to the office. I frowned, I don't think this was a good start to the day if that's how he was going to be treating children. He had opened the door just a crack, slowly peaking in before opening the entire thing and waltzing inside, his entire demeanour changing in an instant. "Nan!" he grimaced letting go of my hand and walking towards the old woman with her grey hair tied into a bun, her arms stretched out wide to him as she stood from her desk. "Harry, oh my goodness what took you so long you've been gone for months!" her voice was strong, stern, yet it sounded as if she was ready to break at any moment. "I was...caught up with stuff." He muttered quietly, "I know what 'stuff' you've been caught up with," she tilted her head as his dropped in shame ever so slightly, she tutted her head up looking at him, eyes laced with worry. "I watch the news, Harry."
"I just, it wasn't like that okay, and we are out of jail it was all a misunderstanding." Harry quickly regained his composure, standing upright once more. "I just want you to be safe, dear." She smiled lovingly, rubbing his cheek and turning her attention to me, which Harry must have noticed because he had turned around and nodded for me to come closer. "And this is the girl hm." She smiled holding a hand out for me to shake, her hand felt like a blanket covering mine, tender and soft. The age she carried showed through, all her years of work and struggle and comfort all held up in her palms. "Yes, we've been through...quite a lot together."