Ok, here you go my friends, a new chapter. Sorry in advance for the mistakes, to do it faster I used the help of google traslator, I want to thank the positive reviews, I hope you like this chapter. As always, there is Art of the chapter in my DevianArt Account. Please comment and have a good day
Brandon woke up at dawn to run around the neighborhood and work out a little in the park, he wanted to be prepared for the big event the next day, not that he was nervous but he wanted to be in his best shape to defeat the competition. On his way out, he noticed that the communal room of the nuns was illuminated, he didn't give much importance and went out to the park.
After an hour of exercises, Brandon was back in the orphanage, he was returning to his bed to rest a little more but once again he noticed that the room of the Sisters was still open and with the light on, sin he was no longer in a hurry, This time he decided to look out to see what was happening, he aproached his head to see inside and found all the sisters in the room, they were on their knees praying to an altar. It was not strange to see that, when one grew up in an orphanage ran by Nuns, one learned a couple of things about religion. Normally he would have turned around and let them pray in peace but something they said caught his eye.
-Please God, we beg you for the speedy recovery of our Sister Margaret, we know that you would work to have her with us soon-
A drop of sweat broke through Brandon's cheek, swallowed some saliva, he felt cold, very cold, not wanting to be discovered, quickly and quietly, he went to his room and lay back in his bed, trying to convince himself that he had heard wrong, yes! Surely that was it, he was tired for getting up early and he heard wrong! Sister Margaret was finel, she was a strong and determined woman, while all the others had given up on him, she had been the only one who for many years endured all his temper, tantrums and bad attitude, the one who presented him to Mr. Zen, yes! She was fine, she had to be! right?
Brandon was no longer able to sleep the rest of the morning, his mind was completely elsewhere, soon after 6 AM, all the children began to get up and get ready, the young white haired boy did it too, after doing his morning labors, all the children went to the dining room for breakfast, breakfast did not vary on other days, but there was a significant difference that morning, Sister Margaret was not at her table with the other Sisters, that never happened, except the days she went on her trips outside the city, which was not the case, she always announced to all the children when she would be absent and for how long. Brandon once more time felt very cold, he remembered the words of the Nuns at dawn, he should know. . .he needed to know! A second before she went to ask what was happening, Sister Elizabeth, second Nun in charge, got up and saw the children. Everyone immediately fell silent to hear that she would say:
-Children; Before praying for the food, there is something you should know, last night. . . Our beloved director Margaret Sanchez, had a heart attack and we had to take her to the hospital for an emergency, for the moment her condition is stable and I ask you to pray for her and her prompt recovery -
Soon the whole dining room was filled with murmurs of both the young and the little children, it was not a secret that everyone loved and respected the Elder Sister, Elizabeth managed to calm them all and after the pray, everyone ate in silence, since It was the weekend, there was no school. So Brandon went to talk to Sister Elizabeth.
-Sister. .
-Yes Brandon, tell me?"
-Hmmm, is there any chance we can pay a visit to Sister Margaret?" I would like to know how is she is fine
The Lady watched Brandon closely, as did Margaret and many others, she knew the boy and knew perfectly how he esteemed the Director, after all, she had cared for him since he was a little boy.
-Well, to tell you the truth, this afternoon we planned to visit her with some of the younger children, if you like, you can come, I must admit that It would help to have you to watch over them
Brandon smiled enormously and replied
-You have a deal, Sister!
...
Keeping her promise, she and all the children went to the hospital at visit hours, keeping silence as they should, all the children went to the patient's room, when they entered, there they found her, lying on her bed, reading the Bible.
Sister Margaret!" All the children shouted and they surrounded her in a group hug, Brandon and the other children near his age refrained from doing so, most of all for pride and to not look like a baby.
-Hi kids! This is a surprise! I am very happy to see you
-The lady said very cheerfully and stroking several heads. Brandon and the other older boys also gave a quick hug to the Director who welcomed them, knowing she needed her rest, they didn't stay too much time in the room, all the children said their goodbyes and exited the room. While leaving the hospital, a nurse approached Brandon and said
-Excuse me child, but the patient Margaret wishes to speak to you a little more, just both of you.
Both Sister Elizabeth and Brandon were surprised, what could the Director want to tell him? Having the permission of his immediate guardian, Brandon returned to the Director's room. She saw him come in and said
-I see that the nurse could reach you on time, I am very happy. I was wishing to talk to you alone.
Brandon did as she asked and took a seat next to the Director's bed.
-It's good to see you better Sister, you gave us a good scare -Brandon said rather relieved.
-Thank you son, tell me. ¿How are you?
-I? Fine enough to be honest, ¿why do you ask?
-For nothing special, I just wanted to be sure you were fine, but most of all, ¿When is your next Karate's practice with the school's club? ¿You are going right?
-It's in a couple of hours and yes, I'll be there without problems, it's the final practice before tomorrow
-I understand, tell me, are you ready for your great competition?
-I am! You know I'm always prepared! I'm going to dominate that tournament like last year!
-I'm glad to see you in such a good mood." . . Brandon. There is something I must tell you
-Okay? Tell me
The Director watched the boy for several seconds, she knew what she wanted to say but the words did not come out, she knew that Brandon was quite mature for his age, as he said, life had given him no other choice, she remembered that little younger boy with white hair, the one she once met at her door, in need for love. When she received him in the orphanage, watching how he grew up over the years, making friends with the boys and girls who came and leave, she had her ups and downs with that boy, his problems of rebellion and anger that thank God his friend Mr Takeshi managed to solve by taking him as a pupil, when she conforted him when he had to leave to return to his country home.
Many more memories came to her head, memories he shared with his favorite child, She did not like to have preferences but she had no problem in saying that she felt more affection for the white haired boy than the others, 6 years of friendship can arouse many feelings of preference. She turned to see him again, still waiting for what she would say, there he was, he was no longer a little kid, he was a strong and determined 11 year old boy, hardworking and loyal, that little six years boy had long gone and instead, the young man took his place, excited by his Competition to come. . . No! he needed to stay focus! she just could not tell him what she had planed to but she needed to tell him something, luckily she had an ace up her sleeve.
-Brandon, when you return to the orphanage, talk to Sister Elizabeth and tell her to give you what is stored in my wardrobe,
-Uh? . .Okay? As you say Sister Margaret, what is it?
-Do you want to ruin the surprise?
-Yes
-Even so, I will not tell you, go and find out for yourself!
-Agh! Okay!
-Okay, now go, I do not want you to miss your practice
-That will not happen! And tomorrow I will come with a new and brand new trophy! –The young man said with a certainty that would convince anyone.
-I like that
Brandon opened the door of the room but before leaving. . .
-I love you, Brandon- Sister Margaret said. Brandon could not explain what was happening. In the end, he was just an 11-year-old boy. There were many things he did not understand. . . That "I love you Brandon" felt. . .weird, not knowing how to act, the turned around, with a smile he answered:
-I love you too
They both nodded and the boy finally left the room, he returned to the orphanage along with all the other children, many of the younger ones asked him to play with them but the young man told them that later he would do it, for the moment he wanted to see what Sister Margaret had for him. Just as she had said, Sister Elizabeth gave him a small cardboard box, it didn't feel heavy, he took it to his room and opened it, he almost faint, inside the box was a new white karate Gi, with blue flames on one side of the pants, white bands, blue gloves and to finish, his black ribbon, it also had the school logo on the chest.
The boy could not help showing his emotion, the design of the Gi was the same as a drawing that he had done months ago but it got lost time ago, it was obvious now who had taken it, Brandon noticed a small note in the bottom of the box, he took it and read it:
"I'm sorry for the delay
Margaret Sanchez
Just after reading the note, Brandon hugged his new gear, he felt inspired as if he measured 3 meters, there was no way he would lose tomorrow!
...
-Young Brandon just needs one more point to win, he is concentrated, looking for an opening, his opponent Chris delivered a kick and he dodged it, and with a circled kick that hits in the face. He knocked out his oponent, Brandon got it! HE JUST BECAME A TWO TIMES HATELZUKI REGIONAL CHAMPION!- The commentator who narrated the fight on local television said very excited. All the children present in the orphanage who watched match immediately started to celebrate, the young boy also celebrated with his team. He was not a cheerfull boy but at that moment he was beaming with joy, he could not wait to show his new trophy to the Director!
In the hospital room, watching from the room television, Sister Margaret and some nurses watched the young man being rewarded by the judges, one of them turned to the sister:
-Your boy is incredible, he even beat 13 and 14 years old boys
-And you haven't seen what he can do when he doesn't have to follow rules
-Uh? What you mean?
-Nothing. . .nothing, memories of the past
Margaret continued watching the screen for a brief moment, she felt tired, very tired, she sighed and while looking at the ceiling, she spoke:
-Thank you God. . . Thank you for allowing me this last wish, I did not care if he won or not, I just wanted to see him compete once more. . . ok, I'm ready, let's go
-His eyes closed completely and one last sentence came out of his mouth:
-Goodbye, Brandon.
...
The boy ran with all his strength to the hospital, carrying his backpack and a trophy in his arms, he could not wait to tell everything to the Sister, besides asking him if she had seen him on TV, without wasting time, he searched her room, she go it quickly and. . . ¿Was there a nurse cleaning the empty bed?
-Ahhhh, excuse me, but what happened to Sister Margaret?" ¿Was she released from the hospital?
The nurse watched the boy, she could not help shedding some tears before speaking.
-I am sorry. . . she just. . . stopped breathing
-. . . . What? "The 11-year-old said, the noise of his trophy falling to the floor echoed throughout the hospital walls