Chapter Five: Kindred Spirits
The next few days at the orphanage went by faster than John would have expected. The highlights being the children's smiling faces as he walked through the door and sat down to read them a story, one particular little boy sat next to John for the whole story and little Harriet crawling into John's lap every time he'd sit down with the kids for story or play time.
"I see you're getting along very well with little Harriet, John." Kate smiles, bringing the cup of tea to her lips.
"Yeah, I don't know what I did but she seems to like me." John chuckles, gratefully sipping his own cup of tea.
"Maybe you're kindred spirits. Harriet had a difficult little life before she came here. She came from an abusive home and her mother brought her here to give her a better life. She said that she was terrified that Harriet's father would start on her when it was too much for her mother to take. That was two years ago and we … haven't seen her mother since." Kate replies sadly, looking down at her tea.
"Poor thing. Well, both of them really. But her mother was brave to take her away from harm."
"Yes, she was. We tried to contact her to see if she wanted to visit Harry but we've never heard anything back.
"Maybe she's making sure that the father doesn't find Harry. It's the best way to keep her safe, I guess."
"Yes, it is."
"She's a wonderful little girl despite it though. And she has a lovely little smile. I can't understand why anyone would want to hurt a child, especially one as small as her. Poor thing wouldn't have stood a chance."
"No, she wouldn't … John, it's only been a few days but … would you consider adopting Harriet? She needs a good home and a loving family."
"I wish I could provide that for her but … I'm single and live in a bedsit. I couldn't raise a child in a place like that. I can barely stand being there myself."
"I understand, John. Lord knows that girl needs some stability. Well, all the children here need that. But I understand, I really do."
"Maybe when I get my life sorted out."
x..x
A few days later, Harriet walks cautiously up to John; her little stuffed bear in her hands.
"John." She whispers softly, looking up at John with big eyes.
"Hey, Harriet. What's up?" John asks with a smile, crouching down to the little girl's height.
"Um, how come nobody wants to adopt me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, all my friends have got mummies and daddies now but I haven't."
"That doesn't mean nobody wants to adopt you, Harriet. It just means that the right person hasn't come to see you yet. You'll get a mummy and daddy soon enough. You just have to be patient, sweetheart." John replies gently, touching the little girl's hand.
"I don't care about having a mummy and a daddy. I know why mummy brought me here. Having both causes shouting and fighting." Harriet whimpers, closing her eyes and burying her face in her bear.
"Not everybody is like that, Harry. Some mummies and daddies love their children and take care of them." John says carefully, sitting down properly and pulling Harriet into his lap.
"Are you going to adopt me?" Harriet asks hopefully, looking back up at John.
"Um, I don't know, Harry. I'm not really in a good place right now. I'd like to but I can't give you what you need." John replies softly, stroking Harriet's hair out of her face.
"Oh, okay." Harriet says with a slight nod. "That's okay." She adds, kissing John's cheek and climbing out of his lap.
John stares dumbfound at the little girl when a cough behind him knocks him from his thoughts.
John looks up and sees Kate standing behind him with a big smile on her face.
"She talks about you all the time."
"I told you, I can't." John replies sadly, looking back over at Harriet.
"Alright. Just think about it, please."
"I will." John says unsurely, nodding a little to himself.