Chapter 12- pulling it all down
Bill found Simon in the dormitory sitting quietly on the bed. He looked rather pale and had a rather red looking mark on the side of his neck. He hurried to his side asking, "are you alright'. Simon shrugged, "I'm not entirely sure," he admitted, "the past has just slammed me in the face again and I honestly don't know what will happen. "I have left it all in the hands of Giles who tells me to trust him", Simon stated rather ironically.
Bill put his hand on Simons, "it won't surprise you to learn that searching Kelly's file got us nowhere. Naturally I didn't say anything to the others just putting that photo back."
"But the others all think they failed Simon and gloom is hanging over this place. I want to tell them that you worked it all out", Bill begged as he looked at Simon hopefully.
Simon just shook his head,' trust me' echoed through his mind but he knew part of him could never forgive and therefore never trust Giles Mangan. "I told you Bill it's in the hands of Giles and I honestly don't know what will happen", he said sadly
"From your comments I guessed this is about the real Jonathan Harris, Bill prodded. "Yes, he was Kelly's father and was removed by force from her side. That is the saddest thing of all Bill, he probably wanted his daughter but the choice was ripped from his clutches", Simon felt the pain of that knowledge return. "It wasn't your fault Simon", Bill picked up on the guilt in his voice and gave him a reassuring squeeze.
"I know, but it still hurts that someone I know is involved in this. How could I ever tell Sister Agnes that", Simon said sadly. "I get the feeling you are closer that I thought", she knew about your gift," Bill reflected.
"She was great confidant Bill and witnessed a few of my abilities", Simon confessed.
Bill's eyes were getting wider," a few, as in more than one", he commented.
Simon looked at him, "how do you think a boy of 15 survived an attack by a much more experienced 18 year old gang member Bill", he asked
Bill swallowed, he'd never had the courage to to ask that question before but now he knew Simon a lot better, "exactly what did you do", he wanted to know. "Lets just say that Tim never underestimated me again", Simon replied. He curled up on the bed, "will you tell the others I have a migraine and are resting", he asked his brother in law.
Bill could see the tension in Simons face and knew that the claim was not just an excuse, "sure, you get some sleep that will help", he pulled some blankets over Simon and sat beside him until he fell asleep. Then he got up and left returning to questions that he could not answer.
The morning revealed the promised bus ready and waiting outside the home. Sister Agnes thought Harold Dalton had sent the bus as a means of getting them away from seeing the demolition. She had no protest against that as seeing your home being bulldozed was not something she wanted to imprint on the children's mind.
So she simply sat right next to Simon and didn't say too much until the bus carrying all the orphans, the nuns, the Bob Whites and Mr Wheeler pulled away from the home.
"I'm glad you are looking better dear one, I came to see you last night but you were sleeping", Sister Agnes told Simon. "Yes, I had a migraine', Simon explained.
Sister Agnes put out her hand to trace the mark on his neck, "you know I am very good at seeing the signs that you've been hurt by someone", she told him. That reminded Simon of the time she'd bathed the bruises caused by his altercation with Tim .
"It's alright Sister, this one actually didn't like hurting me", Simon told her reassuringly, squeezing her hand firmly to let her know he was not lying.
"I won't ask too much dear one since you don't want to share. It's not the reason I sat by you anyway". She looked back where Hope was sitting on Alena's knee. "Those two girls both really like you Simon,", she told him. Simon smiled, "I've grown really found of both of them too", he replied with a smile.
"They are going to be sad when you have to leave", Sister Agnes told him .Simon looked over at the two girls and found himself becoming choked up "I will be sad too", he whispered. Perhaps though I can visit them" .Sister Agnes smiled softly at him, "Simon I love you dearly but sometimes I think you fail to see the obvious", she began to whisper in his ear .
Trixie sat next to Dan and pointedly asked, "was your father up to something last night".
Dan had also found his father firmly asleep and had not had the heart to wake him just to ask him questions. "I don't know where he went", he answered truthfully.
Trixie sighed, "right now those bulldozers are probably on there way", she said, "this is one time I really wish we hadn't failed."
Me too", Dan agreed and without bothering to wonder what the others would think he held Trixie close letting her warmth fill him and give him a type of peace. Trixie didn't glance toward Jim as she hugged Dan back.
"Right everyone I am told that a certain young lady back there would really like to go to the Zoo", the bus driver shouted. Hope immediately began to bounce up and down on the chair.
So they stopped at the zoo and Simon found himself carrying Hope high on his shoulders while Alena's hand was firmly grasped in his own. Though she never said a word the entire time Hope's eyes shone with joy and Simon was glad they had come.
On reentering the bus he made a whispered suggestion to the driver. "We are now off to visit somewhere special to another young lady", the driver announced. This visit was to a dance studio where they all watched a show. Alena's eyes shone with joy and Simon was rather shocked when she started to cry, "sweetie I didn't mean to upset you", he said. "No, you didn't" Alena sobbed, "it is just so lovely that you thought of me", ', she leaned over and hugged him fiercely . Dan had watched his father make the two girls happy and smiled warmly, he was not jealous in the slightest as he knew what it was like to feel like you were all alone.
"Now our last visit is for another young lady", the bus driver gestured toward Kelly.
They stopped at the streets featuring some of the most up market clothing in New York. Kelly loved clothing and regarded the shops wide eyed. "Here go buy something", Mr Wheeler gave her an envelope. Kelly looked inside and couldn't quite believe this was happening. She got out the bus with a huge grin on her face.
There last stop was to a restaurant where they were all treated to the most amazing meal.
"This is all wonderful but I can't stop thinking about those bulldozers", Honey confessed as she picked sadly at the food.
"All this hasn't stop them thinking of it either", Bill pointed out the orphans and Sister Agnes who were all pretending to be enjoying themselves, but failing miserably
Simon looked at his watch ,now was the time to see where trusting Giles Mangan would lead.
"It's time to go back now", he yelled over to the bus driver. "Yes we have to see it", Kelly agreed with a heavy sigh. They reboarded the bus with the Bob Whites and Mr wheeler making sure they were close to the orphans and Sister Agnes as the bus drew closer to it's destination. "I can't look", Sister Agnes closed her eyes firmly as the bus stopped. All of the orphans and the Bob whites copied the sister not wanting to see the destruction caused by the bulldozers. Thus it was Bill who found himself having to yell in a loud voice, "it's still there", as he looked on the indisputable fact that the home was still standing.
The doors of the bus opened and one of the boys raced out first entering the home through the chapel door. He came out seconds later wide eyed and announcing "Sister Agnes, Saint Nicholas has been".
Looking at each other with puzzled gazes the others hurried in the chapel door. What happened next was like in those comedies when everyone collides into each other. Simon supposed that was all the fault of the huge 20 foot high Christmas tree that stood right beside the stained glass window. As his eyes were drawn up the entire length of the tree he let out a sigh of awe, a large angel stood atop the highest branch and the stained glass angels now prefect face was smiling at that angel. "Someone fixed it", Matt Wheeler remarked as she stared at the window. "That's not all they did", Dan was actually looking around and noticing things, like the now shining wooden floors and freshly painted walls.
Sister Agnes was sobbing as she looked around her, "who did this", she whispered.
"That would be me", Giles stepped from behind the tree and held his hand out to the nun.
"The names Jonathan Harris", he introduced himself. "Here', he handed the nun an envelope. Sister Agnes opened it and almost fainted on the spot. "I thought it'd be a good idea to top that account up, Jonathan continued. "I 'm sorry it took me awhile but I honestly wasn't told of your financial troubles. He swallowed , this bit was going to shock Simon, " I've also come for my daughter", he stated. "I did not know about her existence until just recently," he said honestly, "someone in their wisdom decided I was better off not knowing and made that donation on my behalf. All the money in the world won't replace having a parent and if she agrees, I 'd like to take her". He scanned the faces of the orphans, "I believe her name is Kelly", he stated.
Kelly gasped loudly and stood frozen staring at the man, then she slowly came forward and Giles moved to take her in his arms.
Simon stood with his mouth hanging open amazed at what had just happened. He really should step forward and protest that he was not her real father but his feet just didn't want to move.
"You don't still need to give us money", Sister Agnes tried to give back the envelope, "Keep it sister with my blessing", Giles insisted.
With his arm stil firmly around Kelly he turned to Mr Wheeler, "Harold Dalton sends his regrets", he remarked. "How did you convince him to back off", Matt asked curiously. Giles smiled as he remembered the man yelling about how powerful he was and how he could ensure Jonathan was financially ruined and then went rather pale as Jonathan slapped his federal badge onto the table and said, "check mate". "Oh he just met someone more powerful than he was", he told Matt.
Matt laughed which started everyone off , joy had now replaced despair.
As the orphans joined together with the Bob Whites to dance around the huge tree, Simon came to stand beside Giles who was watching Kelly say goodbye to her friends.
"You're not really her father", Simon whispered . Giles looked at him, "I am legally Jonathan Harris and as such have a right to claim my long lost daughter. It was not fair to leave her here Simon, she deserves to have a home", he replied passionately." When she becomes part of my family ,she will also be part of yours, legally your sister. I know you that when I'm not around any more that you will never abandon her, it is not in your nature", he smiled at Simon. I also know you don't like Giles Mangan but perhaps Jonathan Harris can be somebody you will be proud of" . "John Tandy thought he was protecting me by pushing Kelly out of my life. But she and I are both better off if she is beside me, the heir to what the Harris foundation was meant to be, built on love and not on lies", Giles told him passionately.
Giles moved away then to go be with his new daughter. A still stunned Simon supposed that everyone deserved a second chance and that Giles would try his hardest to be a good father to Kelly. After all he knew his son would be watching.
Now that that was out of the way Simon had something else he needed to do. Hope was sitting in the corner hugging her bear, her energies were already flagging after her long busy day. "Hope sweetie, there is something I would like to ask you", Simon crouched down low beside the girl. Her tired brown eyes looked at him, "will you be my daughter", Simon asked.
The eyes stared for a full two seconds then tears began to roll down and Hope leapt up and into Simons arms.
Alena stopped in her dancing and looked over at the little girl noticing she was looking like she'd just be given her favourite Christmas toy. But Alena knew Hope's gift had been better than any toy. She walked away sadly moving from the happy warmth of celebration to a cold dark place where she could cry.
It was ten minutes later that Simon found her huddled in a corner of the dormitory. "I'm so glad for Hope", Alena sobbed, "I would have loved to hear that", she whispered. "Will you be my daughter", Simon said. "Yes that, just once I would love someone to say that to me", Alena spluttered out her as her emotions spiraled out of control. Simon put his hand out and touched the girl, " I just did", he replied. Now Alena froze in disbelief, surely he had not just said what she thought he had. "Someone told me that all the money in the world does not replace family", Simon whispered. "I never believed I would be allowed to take even one of you, but thanks to Sister Agnes I can say those words to you both. So what do you say Alena, will you be my daughter", Simon repeated. Alena just grabbed him around the neck and sobbed. "I guess that means yes", Simon replied through his own tears.
