One month later.......

"Anthony! It's so good to see you again." Mother Superior said as she hugged and invited him inside.
Boy it had been a little while since he had last been here. He hadn't had time and it had been nearly two months now.

"Are you here for a haircut?"
He nodded.

"Well, it is a little overdue." She ruffled his hair and ran her hand through it, pondering on what she could do with it. She led him through the old hallways of the orphanage to a visit with an electric razor.

20 minutes later...

He ran a hand through his hair. Smooth and perfect. Mother superior really knew how to give his hair that certain style.

"Anthony, why don't you stay a little while longer? I'd love to talk with you; it's been a while and I'm in the mood for company."

He sighed. How could he say no? He nodded.
"Excellent. Please join me in the sitting room. He followed her.

"Sit please" she gestured towards a chair. He really had an undying respect for this old woman. She was so kind to him.

"Now then. How have you been?"
He nodded, as in a yes.
"That's great." There was an awkward silence.
"Anthony. I have to tell you something."

He stiffened.

'What is it?' he wondered.

"We're expecting a seven year old, but we don't think that the children here will accept her."

'Why is she telling me this?' he thought

"That's why I need to ask you a favor."

'Oh no....I know she's not thinking of asking me to do what I think she's going to ask me to do.'

"As I've said, the children have heard about her. I don't think she'll fit in here; I don't want her to get hurt, so, I want you to take care of her until I can find the right place for her. Is that alright with you?"

He was semi-shocked. 'I cant take care of a seven year old. I wouldn't have the time, or the patience. I have absolutely no past experience with kids.' He needed an excuse, quick. But he had none.

Then he realized that Mother Superior still wanted an answer. How on earth was he supposed to say no? Maybe if he didn't answer, the subject would just go away, but no, he couldn't do that.

With much reluctance, he nodded.

"Oh thank you, Anthony. Thank you."

It was storming outside, and the weather reflected Anthony's feelings. How had he just ended up with a kid? She would scream and demand and demand and scream. Oh. My. God. He sighed.

Three loud knocks at the door made him look up.

"Here she is now." She got up and walked over to the door. Anthony remained seated. About two minutes later, Mother Superior returned with the child. He was stunned. She looked exhausted with bloodshot eyes and her soaked navy dress. She had pale blue eyes and he couldn't tell what color her hair was due to the fact that it was wet.

'Enough daydreaming. Time to go.' Anthony stood up.

"Are you leaving Anthony?"

He nodded and looked at the little girl.

"Her name is Caroline. I'm sure you two will get along just fine."

'Caroline. That's a pretty name.....oh. She looks so sad.
He began to walk to the doorway, Caroline still in the living room.

"Caroline. We've decided that you're going to live with Anthony for a little while, OK, honey, so follow him."

She said a quick "OK" and departed from Mother Superior.

They were in his car. He was driving 20 miles over the speed limit, but the girl didn't seem to mind. She just kept staring out the window.

'I have a kid now. How did this come to be? Oh man.'
He pulled into his driveway and looked at her. She was sleeping.
'I don't blame her.'

It was still pouring. He walked over to her side of the car and lifted her sleeping form from the seat. He closed the door with his foot. As he put her wet cold form into a sea of warm blankets, he looked at her face.

'She's suffered.'
He turned out the lamp and walked out of the room.

'What a rush. I go for a haircut and get a kid instead.' he sighed. This was weird. This was really really weird. Maybe things would be better in the morning. With that, he drifted off into sleep.