Ortiz' Golden Orphanage (OGO, for short) has been my home since I was a wee lad. Lived here since I was five years old. Other orphanages exist, sure. But, OGO is where my heart belongs.
"Look who's late to the show!" The cafeteria staff chortled as I arrived to retrieve my breakfast. "I hope that doesn't mean there's no flap jacks left!" I respond while glancing at the service line. "Listen, listen, Thomas, why would we allow our silver boy to miss out on Friday Flapjacks?"
"You heard her boy. Did you forget our motto?"
"No stomach left unfed!" Satisfied with my answer, the cafeteria personnel handed me my flapjack breakfast. Now I can peacefully consume my grub with my mates.
"Hah! You two never cease to amaze me… The food's still toasty also!"
Later that day…
"OW-WEEEEEEEEE!!"
"Clarence, Mate, you alright?!" I rush to my friend who had fallen off the jungle gym. Only to discover a shocking sight. "Good heavens, his elbow is bleeding! I'll go get the nurse!" Sachiko's well-meaning nature masks her flight at the sight of blood. But, before she makes it a foot away from us, though, the playground supervisor enters the scene.
"Looks like you went cruising for another bruising, eh Clarence?"
"Y-yessirrrr." It was hard hearing the spirited seven-year-old. Not due to him facing a giant. Clarence was in awe of the man's unyielding kindness. Which everyone who works at OGO possesses.
"No needs to worry your little bones bucko. I'll take ya to the nurse." Clarence's bones are far from little; rather, they're long. As a result, mate's taller than most kids under ten!
"Th-thank you, Un-uncle Soup." The lanky boy answers, as the supervisor lifts him onto his shoulders, with ease. Uncle soup whispers. "I promise I won't tell Lady Ortiz that your fall was because you cut ahead in line." With a silent chuckle Clarence, although bruised, had a renewed calm. Confident that the news of his dangerous attempt to beat the other kids to the jungle gym wouldn't make its way to our dear Lady Mother's ears. To make her upset, nobody desired that; especially us children.
My orphanage is the soul of the borough of Grinow. A real enormous place! The biggest in the area. Or so, I've heard. Three stories, full of everything you could ask for. A playground that mimics a mini amusement park. Just look at what happened to Clarence. Lad frequently amuses himself into injury out there! A cafeteria with banging food. Even the movie room that we get access to on the weekends. The list goes on. But, most important is how the staff at OGO treats us orphans. We're not belittled for being parentless; instead, we're treated like we belong. A second family. These benefits negate any concern about time.
"Darlings! Adoption day has arrived yet again." Lady Ortiz' proclamation amassed much anticipation. "I've got plenty of golden stars, so that means good news for me." Sachiko triumphantly boasted to herself.
"Hmm? Someone's missing." Lady Ortiz instinctively assumed while scanning the room. Almost as if she had just lost a piece of herself. "Where's Thomas?"
No response. Similar to a letter enfolded in an envelope and placed within a dark mailbox. The silence would start to close in on the normally composed middle aged woman. Suddenly Clarence interjects.
"Miss O-ooorteeez. I'll g-g-go f-f-find him."
"What a relief. Th-thank you…my dear—"
Scurrying across the orphanage, Clarence's search is not a blind one. The young blonde's ears are in pursuit of an unusual grinding sound. Fifteen minutes later.
Vvvvvv. Veeeeevvvv. Tink. Tink.
"Th-there it is! H-h-h-hey Th-th-…Dude, you i-i-in here?" Clarence asks as he approaches the entrance to the orphanage's library.
Tink. Tink. "Password needed to proceed." A sullen, yet focused voice calls out from the unlit room. "Hah! B-bee, J-j-jay, Ay." Clarence confidently replies.
"That's correct, mate. You may enter."
"Alright! I kn-knew y-you'd be somewh-wh-where grinding."
"It's Wednesday, innit? I've got to shine things up! But, anyhow, you're here earlier than usual. You know the routine."
"Ye-yeah. But our la-la-ladyyy's noticed y-y-you m-missing. Seemed like sh-sh-she was bout to cr-cry." My eyes quickly widened. I don't remember my friend saying anything after that. But, like a horse stampeding down a race track; my body suddenly leaped from its position, and instinctively darted to Lady Ortiz' location.
"You for-forgot your…Ah, well. I'll give it to ya la-later." Clarence picks up the source of Thomas' scraping sounds before catching up with his friend.
And, in a short matter of time, the two boys reconvened with Lady Ortiz and the other orphans. The gymnasium where the adoption day observance was taking place was as lively as usual. Adults conversed with staff and children, alike. Orphans eagerly seeking the opportunity to be granted the privilege of gaining new parents. While, food and drink eased any tension. Yet, in one moment, the room suddenly vibrated from the echoes of one woman's outburst.
"There you are!" As if her feet were wheels; Lady Ortiz practically drove herself across the gymnasium into Clarence and I. A kid should feel scared if an adult as sizeable as Lady Ortiz rushed toward them. Yet, her presence was a stark contrast! Much like being wrapped up in a quilted blanket, on the coldest night of the year; our dear Lady's warm embrace was like that of a loving mother.
"Where were you, Thomas? You're supposed to be here; like everyone else."
I wish I felt annoyed because her and Clarence interfered with my routine filing session. But, Lady Ortiz's well being was of higher concern.
Still, I couldn't look her in the eyes. Thankfully, in a manner almost as heroic as Uncle Soup's; Clarence, as if he read my mind; immediately defended me. "D-d-dude had a-a-a-A lot of vomit t-t-to release."
Following his lead, I quickly force as much air up my throat as possible.
Blehhhhppp!
My body froze. And, my heart skipped a few beats. The nerve to respond to this woman's extraordinary concern for a child, like myself; with a burp as nasty as a wet pair of dirty socks. Was this it? Would I be the one to turn Lady Ortiz sour??
After examining Clarence, herself, and her surroundings; Lady Ortiz broke the silence. "Hah! I almost thought your leftovers would drench everyone. Well, Thomas, dear, now that you're back; I need your participation in the observance."
Oh great! I managed my way out of telling Lady Ortiz where I really was. Only for her to reply with making me part of the very thing I was trying to avoid. Snails on their worst day could still move faster than me, in this moment! With much hesitation, I move away from my companions, and into the large, empty gymnasium before me.