What We Don't Give Ourselves Credit For
"Lenny!"
The excited body of a small boy fell against his legs, clinging with a grip that he feared might constrict blood flow.
"Joe." He replied, trying with will to sound somewhat on par with the excitement radiating for the younger male. Stretching, he allowed an arm to cocoon the boy's shoulders, holding him a little close, relieved the grip now seemed to be softening a little.
"Are you even supposed to be visiting us? We don't know you."
The defiant voice of a female cut across the moment, snatching Lenny's attention in an instant. With a smile, he stepped back from the young boy and found comfort in the sofa behind them.
"It's surprising where being a Doctor can get you."
Britney chose not to respond; quietly pleased he had in fact been granted permission to see her and her young brother. There was disappointment still fresh in her chest, however, as their Aunt had still yet to make the short journey to see them... Not that Britney was sure she would in fact like to see her. It still stung. How could she put them here? Their mother was gone, they had never known either of their father's and now... It seemed a pattern was quickly beginning to form in their young lives. Britney could see this much clearer now.
"So do you like it here? With Brenda and Mike is it?"
Lenny questioned them both but was of course aiming the words much more toward the old sibling. Joe had gone back to his toys now, interest lost and childish behaviour leading him onward. But Lenny hadn't been expecting much more. Britney was the older of the two, and therefore the one whom he needed to address. He knew she would not allow a single person to harm a hair on the head of her younger brother besides.
"It's okay. They're pretty cool."
Lenny smiled once more. That was good, something was good. He had been hoping for small, insignificant things he could relay to Linda when he returned to work tomorrow morning. She needn't have spoken for him to know she needed something, however little.
"Is Aunty Linda coming to see us?"
Joe spoke, attracting both sets of eyes with immediate effect. He had stopped sending his toy cars out of control for a moment and his eyes were now dancing between his sister and Lenny. He was of course young but he knew, he knew that this wasn't right. It should be his aunt sat comfortably in the sofa, watching them and smiling, not a man they liked but barely knew. Most people underestimate children when it comes to situations like this one.
Britney threw a cautious glance in Lenny's direction, which was returned with equal intensity. What were they supposed to say to him? Lenny and Britney, both in their own way, knew that at some point Linda would visit but that this wouldn't occur for some time.
"Not today, buddy, she's busy working... But maybe next weekend."
Lenny felt satisfied with that answer. Hopefully the small boy would have forgotten what he was told in a week's time.
Hopefully.
Joe went once more back to his cars, leaving his elder sister to draw a breathe, relief washing at each crevice in her body. In thanks, she offered Lenny a smile and he returned the gesture. He knew almost as much as Britney did how important it was that Joe wasn't exposed to the full extent of the truth. He was far too young to understand the implications of having neither parent, and now seemingly no other living relative to take care of them. To him, Brenda and Mike were just a temporary solution, until at some point his mother or his aunt came to reclaim them. Britney also hoped for this to be temporary, more than anything, despite the nagging voice in her thoughts.
"Do you want a drink?" She asked, suddenly. Quietly.
Lenny nodded and watched as the teenager left the room, allowing the room to fall into a rhythm of just the young boy and his cars.
It had been a wise choice to visit this afternoon, he thought to himself. It hadn't served a real purpose, or not at least to the naked eye but part of him just felt a little... better, knowing these two young people knew they had at least one person they could count on. Not of course that he was blaming Linda, he knew space was what she needed before she made the right decision. But just for this afternoon, being here with Britney and with Joe, he felt at last despite his position as Doctor, that his life had worth. And he told himself quietly, as he waited a while for the return of the young girl and his drink, that he would not allow anything to take this from him.