The Accident
Adelaide Shultz was no ordinary child. Her parents, teachers, and even the milkman agreed that she was a special child. That was before the accident. Before Adelaide, in her perspective, was nothing special and is treated like dirt. This was before. Explanations will come later on. Now, young Adelaide Shultz was skipping down the street on a warm, sunny afternoon in May 1901...
"Ugh. I have to stop!" Rose Stevens, Adelaide's best friend gasped for air.
"Oh, don't be silly! We're almost home!" six-year-old Adelaide responded.
"Okay. Fine. One. More. Block."
"Let's go! Skip-ping one, skip-ping two, skip-ping..." Adelaide's voice trailed off.
"What is that big black buggy doing in front of your house, Addy?" Rose asked.
"I don't know," Adelaide replied. "It must be a friend of my mama and papa just calling."
"It's not calling hours yet," said Rose.
"All right. Wait here and I'll-" Adelaide suddenly stopped. "No, it can't be!"
"What is it, Addy?"
"It's Doctor's buggy! Come on!"
The little girls ran as fast as their little legs could carry them, which was quite hard with petticoats.
"Doctor! Doctor!" they cried.
"Yes, girls?" Dr. Miller answered gravely.
"Have you come a'calling?" Rose asked.
"I'm afraid not. Miss Adelaide, I have to tell you something," said Dr. Miller.
"Yes, Doctor?" Adelaide crossed her fingers.
"Your mother and father have been in an accident. They were taking your three-year-old sister and your baby brother for an afternoon stroll through the park when an automobile accidentally hit them. Thanks to a bystander's quick thinking, your sister and brother were saved. But your parents..."
"You mean, they're...dead?" Adelaide wailed.
"I'm afraid so, my little Sunshine," the doctor replied sadly.
"Waaaaaaaaaah!" Addy bawled.
"Oh, Addy!" Rose cried.
"Rosie, what am I gonna do? Mama is dead. Papa is dead. I'm an orphan!"
"You...you could live with me, Addy," Rose said thoughtfully.
"I'm afraid not, Rose," Dr. Miller's voice boomed. "You see, Adelaide, her sister Nellie, and her brother Edward, must go to an orphanage until a relative claims them. I'm sorry, but it's the law."
"An...an orphanage?" Adelaide inquired curiously. "Which one?"
"Coldrock House for Orphaned Children," he answered.
"But what about Rosie? Will I ever see her again?" Addy asked.
"I'm not sure. But Coldrock House is nearby. Rose can visit," the doctor replied.
"Okay," Adelaide sniffled. "Let's go pack, Rosie."
"Okay," Rose chimed quietly.