Scene 1:
-In a large room at the orphanage, Riley was sitting in a chair near several cribs that all had sleeping babies in them. From a doorway nearby Maya and Grace walked in.
Maya: Hey Riley. How are things going in here?
Riley: Shhh. For once, all of the babies are asleep at the same time and I'd like to keep it that way.
Maya: Oh, sorry. Well I'm about to head back outside. Grace, you wanna join me?
Grace: Nah. I wanna stay with Miss Riley. She said she'd braid my hair today if she had some free time.
Maya: Okay. Well I'll see you both in a bit.
-Maya then headed outside as Grace sat in a chair near a smiling Riley. Riley began to straighten up and then braid Grace's hair as the two talked.
Riley: Wow. Your hair is just the right level of soft Grace. Perfect for braiding.
Grace: Cool. So Miss Riley… how long have you and Miss Maya been married?
Riley: About five years now. It kind of feels longer though since we've known each other since we were very young.
Grace: Cool. So… Miss Maya told me that… you two had a daughter. Is it okay I ask… what was she like?
Riley: Our daughter? Well… she… Erika… she had the most perfect little smile. With cute eyes and an adorable laugh. And always so focused to any detail in the room.
Grace: What was it like when she died?
Riley: I… felt very helpless. I felt like life itself had been violated. I… was very confused. I didn't understand what had happened or why it happened. Honestly, I still don't quite get it.
Grace: How did Miss Maya feel when it happened?
Riley: She tried to remain strong for me. But it was hard for her to concentrate at times. There'd be some days where she wouldn't eat or sleep much. Then there were days where she'd eat or sleep too much. We would try to go on walks or go grocery shopping together. But one of us would instinctively reach for baby food at the store, or we'd see some animal outside and one of us would turn our heads for just a second like we were ready to introduce that animal to a young mind that hadn't seen it before. And then at least one of us would start to cry knowing that young mind wasn't there anymore. It hurts when every day you wish someone you lost was right there… but you know you'll never get to experience life on Earth with them ever again.
Grace: How did you both get over that?
Riley: Well, I don't think Maya and I will ever get completely over what happened. I don't think we'll ever feel good about losing Erika. But… we have learned that there are still things in life we're allowed to enjoy… and there are still people out there we can love.
Grace: So… when did you both start feeling like that?
Riley: Well it's hard to pinpoint when exactly we started feeling like that. Although I guess for Maya it started when she began hanging lots of pictures from a certain student of hers all over our refrigerator.
Grace: You know… a lot of my friends from school say the refrigerator is where a lot of parents like to hang their kids' art work.
Riley: Well… yeah. That's true…
Scene 2:
-In a large room at the orphanage many children sat together as they clapped for a young girl holding a piece of paper. The young girl sat down as Maya stood up in front of the group of children.
Maya: Great story Sabrina. Now is there anyone else who would like to read a story they wrote or have for Sunday Night Story Time?
-Grace then stood up from the group and walked over to Maya.
Grace: I don't have a story per say. But I do have a report I wrote for school that I can read.
Maya: Grace, it's the middle of May. The school year is about to be over soon. You don't need to practice doing school reports with us now.
Grace: It's not practice. It's a report but it does have a story in it.
Maya: Well… go ahead.
-Maya then sat down as Grace stood in front of the large group. Grace then held a paper in front of her eyes, stood up very straight, and began to read it.
Grace: Have any of you ever heard the story of Ana Jarvis? She was a woman who was born in West Virginia in 1864. She was one of eleven children born to her mother. But seven of her siblings died while young. However it didn't stop Ana's mother from supporting her, teaching her important values, and help send her to college. Ana Jarvis' mother continued to support her daughter for the rest of her life. So when her mother died, in 1908 Ana Jarvis helped begin a special annual memorial day that honored her mother and all similar mothers from her church. However this later evolved into the holiday we know today as Mother's Day: a day that celebrates all mothers... including women who are like mothers to children that had none. And… that's my story. Thank you for listening.
Scene 3:
-Many children were walking out of the large room of the orphanage and to their bedrooms as Maya was getting several things into her backpack. As Maya was packing up, Grace stood near her.
Maya: Well Grace… I, uh… really liked your presentation. I'll, um… see you soon.
Grace: Yeah.
-Grace then heard from another room, Ms. Wilson call out to her.
Ms. Wilson: Grace, it's time for you to get to bed too!
-Grace turned her head to call out to Ms. Wilson.
Grace: Coming!
-Grace then turned her head to look at Maya again.
Grace: Well, I have to go to bed now.
-Maya smiled as she then got down on one knee and looked right at Grace in the eyes.
Maya: Well I had a great day with you Grace. Hope you have a good night.
-Maya then held out a hand in front of her. Grace then gave Maya a quick high five.
Grace: Yeah. You too.
Maya: Okay. See ya later Grace. Keep being the amazing person you are.
-Grace then turned her back to Maya and began to walk out of the room. However just before Grace was completely out of the room, she stopped. Grace then turned around and suddenly she ran as quickly as she could back to Maya with her arms stretched out. Grace then rushed into Maya's arms and hugged her tightly as she closed her eyes and spoke in a soft voice.
Grace: Happy Mother's Day.
-A few tears suddenly began to appear in Maya's eyes as she hugged Grace back.
Maya: Thank you Grace. Thank you so much.
END OF CHAPTER 9
Next Time - Chapter 10: Finally Home (Coming 5/13)