Adopted – Episode 6

ADOPTED – Episode 6

© Happy William

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#New_York

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Anne’s POV

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“Hickory, dickory dock…

” The mouse ran up the clock…. ”

I nodded excitedly at the children to repeat what I’d just said, while I demonstrated by using a stuffed mouse to climb on the grandfather clock in the room.

The kids giggled and imitated me, singing a much off version with their mouths wide open and showing incomplete teeth or missing incisors.

They looked so cute.

It was fun working with them, teaching them and playing with them. They made a dull day bright, although I hardly had dull days ever since I left the Matthews.

With a smile, I reached into a coloured basket, grabbed a handful of sweets, and threw them upward, allowing them to litter the floor for any lucky kid to have.

“Alright fellas, may the fastest kid win,” I said over their noises, and slipped out before any of them could notice that I was gone.

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I got to my quarter, which was a bedroom way better than the one I had in Linda’s house, closed the door, and took off my shirt.

Then I reached into the cupboard and brought out my memory box, the one with the only items from my birth.

I sighed.

I won’t give up, I’ll find them.

A knock came on my door, and Iness opened it and walked in.

“I see you’ve left a rioting preschoolers in your wake. Again.”

I laughed, and she smiled.

“It’s a very effective escape plan,” I said with a wide grin.

“Hmm.”

She was now looking at the stuff I was going through.

“The memoirs?”

“Yeah. I’m gonna find them, I know I will.”

“Anne….not to discourage you, but isn’t eighteen years long enough? They would have looked for you if they—”

“They ARE looking for me. They just haven’t found me yet.”

“OK. Just… don’t be gullible.”

I frowned at her warning.

“Gullible?”

“Don’t get your hopes up, only to have them crashing down when you least expect it.”

I nodded slowly.

Then I smiled.

“You still don’t wanna tell me what made you reopen my case two years ago, do you? You’re making it seem like some dark secret I shouldn’t know about,” I whined and spread my legs on the floor.

“Aww, don’t be such a baby,” she cooed, with a chuckle, and went out, closing the door.

I shook my head and returned the box to the cupboard.

Then I undressed, and laid down on my bed in a long pinafore, and listened to music from my phone and earphones, after switching the TV on.

I’ve gotten an unexpected liking to music; it seemed to read my mind and echo my thoughts most times.

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Linda’s POV

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I sat at the dinning, dejected, as I picked on my food.

Deep in thought.

I didn’t notice Joseph come in from the kitchen, or sit down at the table, until he tapped me.

”You’re not eating. ”

“I’m not hungry.”

Joseph sighed, and lifted a spoon of chicken soup to my lips.

“I said no!” I yelled. “Can’t you see were doomed!? Since Anne left, we’ve been experiencing financial problems. And…” I wrapped an arm around my stomach and sobbed, “…Joseph I lost him. He would have been a nice little boy with my looks and your height… sometimes I think the miscarriage was Anne’s fault!”

“Linda don’t relieve it,” Joseph said and wrapped his hands around her shoulder.

How could he tell his wife that perhaps, the two miscarriages were the result of their maltreatment of Anne?

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Anne’s POV

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I was listening to Christy Lane’s “One More Chance.”

The song was old, but I loved the lyrics.

Maybe I didn’t treat you…

Quite as good, as I should have…

Maybe I didn’t love you…

Quite as good, as I should have…

There are things I should’ve said and done…

I just never took the time….

But you were always on my mind….

You were always on my mind…

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Tell….me…

Tell me that your sweet love hasn’t died….

Give me….

Give me one more chance to keep you satisfied…

Keep you satisfied….

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I was about entering the second solo when Wendy barged into my room, making me sit up.

Wendy Cross was my age mate, but ahead of me by nine months. She was a bit plump, and about 4foot8, ie, shorter than my five foot three. She had a black hair, which she always cut short. And she was sooo girlish. Still, she’s my friend. She’s an orphan, unlike me.

“Wendy….how many times do I have to tell you, knock before you open.”

“I’m sorry, I heard you singing Always on my Mind, and I really like to hear you sing. You’ve got a ñíçê voice.”

She plopped on the bed beside me with a grin.

“Arrgh..Wendy….”

“Please sing…”

“Fine, but I’m singing the second solo.”

Maybe I didn’t hold you…

Quite as good as I should have..

And I guess I’ve never told you…—

“Wait, Anne, see!” she pointed.

“Ugh! I’m not singing anymore! See what!?”

She pointed at the TV.

I took the second earpiece from my ear and sat up to watch the TV.

And here’s on Announcement.

Peter and Mary Sheridan, wealthy patriarchs, are announcing a heap of reward for anyone who can find their daughter, missing for eighteen years now.

Attached to the screen is her childhood photo, and a sketch of what she’ll look like now.

The name is Anne Sheridan.

If you have an information, dial the number below the screen to set up an appointment.

This is Katie Current, keeping you current.

I sat still, not moving, just staring at the TV.

Wendy was also staring at me.

“Anne—”

“Wendy!” I yelled excitedly, dropping my phone on the table and climbing out of bed to run over to her side.

“My parents!!!” I squealed and jump.

“That photo… the blanket and the shaker…look,” I brought out the box and showed her.

“Oh Anne, I’m so happy for you. You’re lucky.”

“I’m going to Ines, I’m gonna tell her to dial the line–”

“But Anne shouldn’t you think about it first? What if it isn’t you?”

“I just showed you the proof, Wendy. I thought you were happy for me.”

“I am—”

“Then….” I giggled, ” Come on!”

Oh my God, this is a miracle!!!

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Anne’s POV

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I bubbled with excitement, refusing to be put down by Iness’s sad gaze and Wendy’s as I sat in her office.

“I saw the news too, Anne,” she said, “But I’m not sure…”

“Iness…” I whined.

“Anne, wait. I’m not sure, because I don’t want you to experience what you had in–”

“Iness….”

“Wait. In the hands of the others. So, we’ll do a background check, give them a call, and organize a DNA test.”

I huffed out air through my mouth and sunk in my seat.

“Seriously?” I turned to Wendy, who nodded her agreement.

“I think Mrs Iness is right. And it doesn’t hurt….”

If that is what it took, then I’ll go for it. I’ll do anything to be with my parents again. And a DNA would be just an extra proof.

But I was shaking inside me.

What if…by some evil manipulation… the test proved negative?

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Iness put the phone down and linked her long fingers together on her plain oak table.

“I’ve put the call through. They’re on their way.”

Somehow I wasn’t so excited.

If indeed they were my parents, and they were rich, then why wait for eighteen years before they tried to find me?

I made a mental note to ask them that, if they were comfy enough.

Wendy took my hand in hers and squeezed with a cute smile. Reassuring me. I smiled back. Then we both went out to wait until they arrived, and Iness called for me back in.

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As soon as Mary and Peter Sheridan entered the reception area of the agency, the eyes of those that were there turned to them.

They walked to the receptionist.

“We’re here to see Iness William,” Peter said.

“Hang on a second, let me put a call through… Mr…”

“Oh, please tell her it’s the Sheridan’s.” Mary clarified with a small smile.

The receptionist nodded, although she already knew. Everyone there knew about the couple that might or might not be Anne’s parents.

“Mrs William will see you now. Her office, first door on your left.”

Peter and Mary nodded, murmuring their appreciation, and went in.

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Iness looked up from a book and stood up to welcome the Sheridans’ as they entered.

“Welcome. Have a seat please.”

She gestured to two chairs in front of the desk.

“So, I already know why you’re here to cut to the chase…it’s Anne.”

“Please just tell us if our daughter is here,” Mary put in and laid a hand over Iness’s.

Peter put a comforting hand around his wife’s shoulder.

“She is. But, as I said, I have a few questions for you.”

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#Some_Minutes_Later

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Anne’s POV

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Anxiously biting my nails, I tugged on my skirt and smoothed my hair once again for the tenth time.

Then a staff came to call me.

As I got into the office, both people turned to face me, and the woman broke into a smile.

She was not so thin, and not so tall. Brown hair, like mine. Rounded eyes, and a straight nose bridge.

The man was quite tall, and his nose was more like mine, he had dark eyes too.

Humph, can’t believe I’m checking for comparison, similar features.

“Uh…hello,” I started, feeling awkward.

How do you meet your parents?

“Oh my baby…” the woman whispered and rushed over to me with outstretched arms, engulfing me in a tight hug that had my nose filled with nothing but her strong perfume.

But still, I hugged her back.

Maybe that would make me seem too clingy or desperate… but I don’t care.

“My baby…,” she whispered again, releasing me and holding my hands in hers to look at me with a teary smile.

I smiled too.

The man came too, and took me in a brief but loving hug.

“Glad you’re safe,” he said.

Then to Iness, they said, “We should get started on the DNA test. I can’t wait to take my baby home.”

We had a small hospital in the agency, in case any child or staff had an emergency.

That’s where we went to.

The doctor, Rita Samos, smilingly took a sample of my hair from the root, and the woman and man too.

While we waited, I couldn’t help but study the people.

My parents.

About an hour later, and boy was that fast, Dr Rita returned with the results, and still a smile.

“Congrats Anne,” she whispered to me only, “You’re lucky.”

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Positive.

I felt like screaming out for joy as we all looked at the result.

“See,” mom—and I’ll gladly refer to her as such—said to Iness and ‘dad’, ”She’s our daughter. Anne Sheridan.”

They hugged me again, this time in a group, and tears of joy escaped my eyes.

My parents went to wait in the lounge for me while I packed a few valuables of mine, and bid goodbye to all my friends, and the kids, and Wendy,promising to come to work the next day.

Then I hung my bag across my shoulder, waved Inness goodbye, and got into their car.

So ñíçê.

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We got to a super big house a little bit late, and indeed the ride was long. They told me they were near the agency when they got the call, but lived quite far.

We arrived after about three hours, and the time said eight thirty nine.

I was tired.

Mom noticed.

“I’ll show you to your room so you can rest,” she said and took me up a flight of….STAIRS? Cool.

She led me to a door similar to every other door, and opened it.

“This is your room.”

I only noticed that it was huge.

I said a sleepy “Thanks” to her and flopped myself on the bed.

Tomorrow will be a good day, different from any I’ve ever imagined.

I smiled in my dreams.

Finally, I’m home.

To be continued

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