Chapter 4- nobody's children
Upon entering their dormitory Bill made his way straight to one of the beds and gently touched its surface, "this was my bed ",he announced. "It is probably not the same bed Bill" , Simon disagreed. Bill crouched down upon the floor and looked under the bed, "it's the same one", he stated, "I carved my initials into the metal with a knife as I hid under there one day". Straightening up and plonking himself down on the bed, Bill let out a large sigh, "I used to wonder why I never knew you were seeing Patty. But seeing those marks reminds me that I spent long periods on my own shut away from others". He closed his eyes for a second, "I did it in part to avoid being adopted because I was determined that if I couldn't have my parents I wouldn't have anyone ". Simon remained quiet ,it was rare for Bill to speak so emotionally so he wanted to make sure he got his feelings out in the open without interruption. "I was only 5 when it happened Simon. My parents went away for a weekend for the first time since I was born. A friend had offered to take them on their light plane", he paused, "I suppose at that age you are convinced nothing bad can ever happen. So when the plane went down I didn't want to believe they were dead. I spent time in the orphanage believing they'd walk back in that door while Patty worked hard to try to give us both a life."
"I missed out on so much of her life", he reflected sadly.
Simon sat beside him, "I miss her too Bill", he said softly. Bill smacked slapped one hand down on the bed hard, "I'm doing it again being self absorbed and forgetting about others have just as much right to feel upset as me, Simon whack me if I go on a pity trip again", Bill told Simon seriously
"I'm not going to whack you Bill. You need to get things out in the open and I'm here to listen and offer support. That's why I came, he twisted on the bed. "I've already worked through my own feeling regarding Patty and now it's time for you to do the same", Simon replied sincerely
Bill stretched out upon the bed, "thanks", he said fondly. Shifting his weight slightly Bill reflected, "I'm sure this bed wasn't that uncomfortable before". Simon laughed as he tested his own bed. Looking around at the dormitory with its peeling paint and boarded up window, he stated, "this place does need some work Bill."
Bill Regan had also noticed the rundown state of things, "I know and we have to make sure Sister Agnes gets the money to fix things up".
"How are we going to do that", Bill Regan asked. "Well I have this feeling that a certain Trixie Belden will be undertaking the mystery of the mysterious benefactor with her trusty troops by her side", Simon replied. 'Well I really hope there is no danger in trying to find that out because Trixie is a magnet for trouble", Bill reflected. "I really don't see how looking for a benefactor can be dangerous Bill", Simon remarked.
Outside in the cool air Trixie, Honey and Di walked alongside Jim, Mart, Brian and Dan. "I'm thinking about where to start looking for this benefactor", she told them. Brian rubbed his face, "well to open an account you need identification so the name of the original depositor of the money must be known", he told them. "Surely though if the bank knew the name of the person they'd contact them themselves", Mart suggested. "Well we can ask Sister Agnes at dinner time", Dan told them. He pointed to a building where a bright light was shining, "why don't we see if that's where the children are".
Walking cautiously upon the icy ground they soon entered the building. Immediately laughter reached their ears and they knew that they had found the children. Opening the door the walked inside to find a large room decorated with somewhat tatty looking tinsel .
A young boy of about 7 came running up to them poked out his tongue then ran away giggling. "Sorry about that", an older girl of about 15 stepped forward and looked rather embarrassed. 'It's alright I have a little brother myself", Trixie remarked with a smile.
The girl looked wistful, "he's not my brother", she remarked. "Sorry", Trixie quickly apologized thinking she'd hurt the girls feelings. "When you come here you end up with a large family ,even if they are not your biological one", the girl told her, "though Harry does have a brother here". She pointed over to where another boy of about 6 had joined Harry in running around the rather old looking artificial Christmas tree.
"Anyway you must be our guests", my name is Kelly", she smiled at them, "make yourselves at home."
Jim stepped forward to make the introductions. Kelly shook everyone's hand then turned at let out an ear piercing whistle. Soon about 12 children were assembled in a line in front of the Bob whites. Of the children present Kelly was obviously the oldest. The rest ranged from about 12 down to the smallest girl who was around 5. Honey knelt down to greet the young girl who had lovely red gold hair that spilled down her back in ringlets, "my names Honey, what's yours sweetie", she asked. There was no reply and Honey guessed the girl was shy.
Kelly took the girls hand and told her, "you can go play now", the girl scooted away.
Now that the introductions were other the rest of the children also lost interest and returned to various different corners where they seemed to be playing different games.
They don't really take much interest in you unless you are prospective parents", Kelly apologized. "Around this time of year they only want one present", she said sadly.
All the Bob whites were moved by that statement with Honey actually brushing away tears. Kelly sighed heavily, "some of them, like those two boys will actually get their wish, while others like me, will remain here", she concluded. "I'm sure you'll get adopted", Di told her as she rushed to reassure the girl. "Na by the time you're my age ,you don't have much of a chance", she told them without any emotion. It was like she had used up all her tears and was just left feeling numb. Jim stepped forward, "I was 15 and an orphan myself ,living rough and not knowing what my future would be, but I got adopted," he told her.
Kelly stared at him but before she could reply a gong sounded, "dinner", yelled the children and they raced off. "Come join us", Kelly invited. She fell in beside a tall skinny boy of about 12 and the young five year old girl, "this is Lee and Hope", Kelly introduced. Lee looked at their jackets, "are you all in some group", he asked. Trixie nodded proudly, "we call ourselves the Bob whites", she responded. "I'm in a group too", Lee told them," with Kelly and Hope, we call ourselves nobody's children after that song. "No mommy's kisses and no daddy's smiles nobody wants us were nobody's child," he sung.
All of the Bob White were moved by the words and not one of them could think of anything to say. So they followed along beside the three 'nobody's children' as they walked hand in hand to dinner and silently hoped that Christmas might just bring a miracle.