Mike Hobscotch
A Heart That Will Go On
Mike Hobscotch was an ordinary man; he cared for his wife, he cared for his child, he cared for his home, he cared for his job at the orphanage. Then one day a new boy and his older sister were admitted into the orphanage. Mike knew that this new boy was different from any other boy he'd taken in; he seemed less clever than the other boys his age. The new boy's eyes were so big with wonder he looked as if he'd never seen an orphanage. His sister stayed close to his side every chance she got, whispering inaudibly in his right ear. The new boy hardly spoke to any of the other boys, only stared around in astonishment.
After the first week the new boy's eyes were still so curious. Mike sat down in his study in the farthest room of the main floor with his wife to discuss the new boy.
Mike: He's hardly said a word to me, or anyone else for that fact. His sister is well-mannered and polite, but even she won't talk to anyone who doesn't talk to her first. She only seems to want to talk to her brother. Very odd pair, yes indeed odd.
Margo: Sorry babe, who're you talking about?
Mike: The strange new boy.
Margo: Yeah, be a little vaguer, please. Because I know every child here by one word descriptions.
Mike: Elijah Goldyn and his sister Ebey.
Margo: You could actually, like, talk to them. Maybe if you asked Ebey about her brother she would tell you.
Mike: Of course! You're brilliant, my darling! I could kiss you!"
Margo: You totally should-
Mike: But there's no time for that!
Mike rushed out of his study to fetch Ebey Goldyn, leaving his wife disappointed in his study to tend to their son. The children were out in the courtyard buzzling about in their free time with Jocelyn and Roddy supervising. Mike burst into the courtyard, scaring the bejeezes out of the two young employees.
Jocelyn: Mike, what's wrong?
Roddy: Yo, Big M, someone messin' with my main man?
Mike: Where is Ebey Goldyn? I must speak to her of the most urgent of matters.
Jocelyn: Have parents asked about her?
Mike: Oh no, something much more important.
Roddy: Yo, Big M, nuttin' is more serious than more space openin' up upstairs.
Mike: Will you please stop all this piffle and fetch Ebey Goldyn before I fire both of you.
Mike waited with his thumb and index finger pressed to the bridge of his nose while Jocelyn led Ebey away from the corner of the courtyard. He crouched to her eye level and smiled. Ebey returned the smile, though her gaze suggested she was distant and interested in something else.
Mike: Hello, Ms. Goldyn.
Ebey: Hello, Mr. Hobscotch.
Mike: You know, I don't know why you're still here in this orphanage. I thought as soon as I saw you that you'd be adopted almost immediately.
Ebey: Thank you.
Mike: But, that would mean leaving your little brother.
Ebey: Yes.
Mike: You and he seem very close. Almost as if you run to him at first sight of him.
Ebey: It may seem like that.
Mike: Is it? Your guardian never mentioned you two were so close, nor that you need to be so close. Because Elijah has no mental deters nor anything so…abnormal?"
Ebey took a long time to respond, but she never let her gaze stray from Mike's. She was suddenly no longer distant, but closer than Mike expected, like she has unlocked his mind after weeks of hardly any interaction. Uncannily close.