Shades of Gray

Chapter 4

"Wow!" Stephanie didn't realize how tired she was when she woke up in her hostel bunk she was sharing with the other young authors on their 'Goodwill' tour. It was their last stop here in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, before heading back to the United States and then on to home to Chicago. This had been wonderful and heartbreaking all in the same to be a part of this for her. The children were all so excited at each stop and so grateful for the books and small toys that were passed out, and savored the time listening to each and every story that was told. The UNICEF guides had provided new shoes and T-shirts to any child who needed them. Also passing out gift boxes containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, socks, pencils, tablets, fruit snacks, granola bars, and small boxes of crayons. It was like Christmas and for some more than they had ever received.

Part of the group was visiting an orphanage on the edge of Tegucigalpa and Stephanie was a part of it. This whole experience made her appreciate her life so much more and how hard her father worked at the Post Office to provide everything she had growing up.

Ken, a UNICEF volunteer, told them a little about the orphanage they would be visiting, "A number of months ago there was a hurricane that devastated some of outlying villages or towns, a few were almost completely wiped out from landslides and weak buildings collapsing, so there a number of children becoming orphans. Our organization along with the Honduran government is working quite hard to place as many children in foster care or adoption in the States, so our visit here will be a real treat for these lost children."

As their tour bus drove through the gate of the walled old cathedral building, Stephanie had the feeling her life would never be the same after today seeing the green yards with some of children playing under the trees.

"Hola!" A middle-aged American woman greeted them in a long linen dress. "Welcome to Santa Lucia Children's Home," shaking the hands of each who disembarked the bus. A group of children was growing around them. "I'm Sister Rita."

Stephanie immediately liked the tall tanned woman with the kind face, "Come in. We are so happy for you to visit us."

The treat boxes and clothes were passed out. Mark, a doctor, and his wife, Tina, were checking the children for any sickness and their general health.

"Sister Rita, this is Stephanie. She is an up and coming new author," Ken introduced them.

"Thank you for visiting, Stephanie," the administrator greeted.

"I'm happy to be here."

"Rita, have they spoken yet?" Ken nodded in the direction of small boy and girl all by themselves on a bench opening their treat boxes.

She shook her head, "No. Paulo and Tiana are brother and sister and were rescued from a collapsed building after the hurricane, Stephanie. Their family was killed as was most of their village. They haven't spoken a word in the months they have been here. Doctors have checked and they are fine. They follow directions so they can understand English, but have not said a word. And, since they won't talk no one may want to adopt them."

"How awful," Stephanie was in tears. She went over to a box and pulled out two Sam stuffed dogs and a couple of her books walking over to the two orphans.

"Hi, I'm Stephanie," stooping in front of them. "This is Sam my puppy I write about in my stories," handing each a book.

Their big dark eyes watching her and slowly opened the pages seeing the pictures of Sam and Emily on an adventure flying with animals.

"Woof," she sounded like a puppy sound making the stuffed white dog wiggle, "Would you like a puppy?"

Both nodded and hugged each stuffed Sam to them. Their heart shaped faces lit up. Both had straight dark hair and creamy hued skin. Tiana had thick bangs across her forehead that made her dark eyes even larger.

Stephanie gave each a small hug, "I have to read my story now," getting up to take her place in a worn rattan chair on the open veranda where a group of children were gathered.

She chose her first story to read introducing Sam. She had read a few pages when she felt something brush against her bare legs. Tiana was situating herself on Stephanie's lap and her brother followed her up as Stephanie continued to read and showing the pictures to the crowd of children using her finger to point out the words to the two in her lap.

Continuing to read about Sam, the two children snuggled into her watching the colorful pages. She had nieces, but never felt this relaxed reading to them like she did here in the open courtyard with two children on her lap.

"Emily and Sam said 'Good-Bye' to all the frogs and fish they met on their trip. The boat pulled into the sandy shore where Grandma and Grandpa were waiting. Emily and her puppy smiled at each other knowing they would have another fun time soon. The End," Stephanie finished.

The little girl pointed to Sam, "Mi puppy." It was soft, but she heard the words.

"Yes, Sam is a white puppy," Stephanie whispered back stunned at what she heard. Her eyes focused for a moment seeing a just as surprised Sister Rita standing there listening.

"He's blue, pink, yellow, green," Paulo indicated each patch on the stuffed dog in his lap.

"That's right, Paulo," the nun told him. Tears were on her cheeks finally hearing the simple words from these once silent children.

Tiana handed Stephanie the book she gave her and her brother, "Read more."

Sister Rita nodded and she began the adventure of Emily and Sam riding in a colorful striped hot air balloon amongst the animal shaped clouds that came to life flying with them. They named out each type of animal--dog, cat, horse, giraffe, rabbit, and lion. When it was snack time, they told her about the bananas and pudding they were eating.

"I think they're making up for the 6 plus months Paulo and Tiana haven't said a word," Sister Rita told Stephanie and Ken before they left to return to the Capital. "There's magic in the pages you wrote, My Dear. I saw and heard it here today."

The brother and sister were breaking her heart asking the young author not to leave because they wanted to hear another story holding their white patched puppies.

"How about when we finish visiting a school tomorrow, I'll come back?" Stephanie told the pair.

"Si," both nodded.

When their tour vehicle drove down the driveway, she felt she was leaving her heart there.

Her night was restless seeing the sweet faces and big eyes in her mind. Once back at the hostel after their school visit the next day, Stephanie rushed out with a paper bag containing treats she bought in a small candy store and hailed a taxi to take her back to the Santa Lucia Children's Home. Another one of her books was in her purse keeping her promise to the little boy and girl.

A few days later before the group was flying out to the States, Stephanie was sitting in an office with Ken, another man, and Sister Rita.

"Stephanie, are you sure about this?" The UNICEF representative asked.

"Yes," dialing the telephone on the office desk.

Frank Plum answered, "Hello."

"Hi, Daddy. Do you have a pencil handy?"

"How's your trip, Pumpkin?"

"Good. I'm still here in Tegucigalpa. I'm going to give you a routing and bank account number, Daddy. I need you to wire transfer $10,000 to it."

"Are you OK?"

"I'm good, Daddy. I know the connection isn't real good," hearing static, "but will you do that for me?"

"Of course. Will you be home soon?"

"I'm going to be delayed for a little while, but I think it's for a good reason, Daddy. I'll show you when I get back."

"What's your business manager for, Pumpkin? I'll go to bank now and I'll be here waiting for you when you get back."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I appreciate them. Lee Anne