This one is really short. A little over 600 words. But, I think it may be enjoyable still.
The nine year old boy looked intensely at the engine of Ms. Lawson's Ford Mustang. He had just finished working on it, Ms. Lawson was having trouble with it earlier, and was just looking over it to make sure nothing else was wrong. Satisfied with his own work, Mitchell Smith slammed the hood shut and turned to the woman behind him.
"There you go, Ms. Lawson. It should work fine now," the boy announced happily.
The smiling, young woman ruffled his red hair. "Thanks, Mitch. This is so helpful!"
Mitch blushed and ducked his head. He was a shy type, though he was…the loud, shy type. Though his compliments came more often than not, they still managed to embarrass him. They usually came after Mitch did some work on a car. Why he liked cars, he didn't know. But, it kept him interested and busy.
As he was leaving the garage, another boy ran up. "Hey, Mitch! Mr. Gregory wants to see you in the office!"
Mitch nodded and headed in that direction. Mr. Gregory was the orphanage director, and normally called kids up to the office if they were in trouble. Sometimes, it was to discuss a family that had visited earlier. It was early December, and Mitch suddenly remembered a family named McClurg that had come a few weeks before, and then added some more visits after that. Mitch really liked that family, and was now desperately hoping they were the reason Mr. Gregory wished to talk with him.
These hopeful thoughts quickened his pace. The McClurgs had much in common with the boy, mostly the car thing. They were a happy family, and they had a few quirks, but they were lovable quirks.
Lunch was being prepared as he walked through the large kitchen. Waving at the cook, he hastily pushed open the great room's door. Up the stairs, he passed a few of the older kids, entered the upstairs hall and headed for the first door on the left. Mitch hesitated slightly, his hand on the door knob, looking at the director's name on the frosted glass window. Taking a deep breath, he entered.
"Mr. Gregory?" he said timidly.
The kindly older man smiled and waved him forward. "Hello, Mitchell. I wanted to have a small talk with you."
Mitch shut the door quietly behind him and took a seat across from the director. "Did I do something wrong, Mr. Gregory?" he asked, his previous hesitations still present.
Mr. Gregory chuckled good-naturedly. "No, no. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about the McClurgs."
"Oh." Mitch's face brightened.
"What do you think about them?"
"What do I think? Umm…well I really like them." Mitch blushed.
"Why?"
"Uh…I dunno. 'Cuz we have a lot in common?" Mitch said uncertainly.
Mr. Gregory chuckled again. "Is that all?"
Mitch squirmed. "Well…I dunno. I guess its part of it."
"But, not all of it."
"No."
"So, you don't quite know why you like them?"
"No," Mitch said miserably.
"Alright. Thank you. You may go have lunch now, Mitch."
Mitch mumbled his thanks and quickly exited the room.
Mitch rushed up stairs and made sure all of his things were in order. He didn't have much, but he was still making sure. Today was Christmas Eve, and in a few hours, he was going to be picked up by his new family.
The interview with Mr. Gregory a few weeks before had been deceptive. It went way better than Mitch first thought. And now, he was going to live with the McClurgs.
There ya go. About one more chapter and this one is done with. -Jimmy