Chapter 4: The Leaving Song
Summer was almost ending and September was coming around the corner. Troy and Gabriella had already spent one summer at St. Luke's together and came to the realization that neither of them would end up being adopted and promised they would always be friends. During the days parents would visit to arrange adopting other kids, the two of them would watch from a distance other kids going home and leaving St. Luke's with their new family. One day during prayer time in the chapel, Sister Kathryn was busy with the children when Paige came for a visit with a few people.
"Sister Kathryn…just the person I've been looking for," Paige replied, "There's someone here I would like you to meet, this here is Jack and Diane Bolton."
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Bolton," Sister Kathryn said, "I'm Sister Kathryn, head of St. Luke's Children Group Home. Are these the people you've been talking to me about Ms. Carter?"
"Yes…apparently the Boltons want to discuss about Troy," Paige added, "You see Jack here is actually Troy's uncle and when they heard of the news of the death of Troy's parents, Jack and Diane were looking for him for months and decided…that they want to adopt Troy. Jack Bolton is the brother of Troy's mother and when she heard about his sister's death, he felt sadden by the loss and took it upon himself and for his sister's sake to provide a home for his nephew."
"Oh thank God for your kind hearts," Sister Kathryn smiled, "Does Troy know he had family?"
"The Boltons are from Albuquerque, New Mexico and they wish to adopt Troy for full legal custody Sister Kathryn, but first they would like to meet him."
"The children are inside the chapel," Sister Kathryn replied as she led them inside where the children were praying with Sister Patricia, "Excuse me Sister Patricia, children I have an announcement to make, in regards to Troy."
"Sister Kathryn…what's going on?" Troy asked as he was sitting next to Gabriella.
"We have some wonderful news for you Troy," Sister Kathryn replied, "Ms. Carter here have a surprise for you. This is Jack and Diane Bolton they are actually your aunt and uncle from Albuquerque. Your Uncle Jack is actually your mother's brother and they want to tell you something."
"These people…are actually my aunt and uncle?" Troy looked at them with curiosity, "Where is Albuquerque? So Uncle Jack is actually mommy's big brother?"
"That's right sport and we've been looking all over for you for months," Jack Bolton smiled, "I wanted to take it upon myself and on behalf of your Aunt Diane to look after you from now on and provide you with a new life…we were wishing to adopt you."
"You…you want to adopt me?" Troy was shocked as Gabriella was shocked of hearing what was happening…Troy was going to get adopted, "You're…going to be my new parents? We get to live here in California?"
"Actually…we live out in Albuquerque," Diane Bolton smiled, "It's in New Mexico. We've been talking to Ms. Carter here at Social Services and the papers have already been filled out. By the end of the week…we'll be officially your new adopted parents."
"I'm…going home to Albuquerque with…you?" Troy asked with a bit of sadness, "I'm leaving?"
"That's correct Troy," Jack replied as he turned to Gabriella, "And who is your little friend here?" Gabriella stepped away as she ran out of the chapel as Troy looked at her with sadness. He couldn't believe that his aunt and uncle were going to adopted and he was leaving soon, meaning that Gabriella was staying behind.
"This must be an exciting day for you Troy," Sister Kathryn replied, "What's matter Troy? You look sad…is something the matter child?"
"No…I'm happy I get a new mommy and daddy," Troy smiled a bit as he hugged Jack and Diane, "I get a new home, but I don't want to lose my best friend."
"You see Mr. Bolton Troy and Gabriella both arrived here at the same time and the two have become close friends indeed," Sister Kathryn explained, "The two of them both lost their parents on the same night and these two kids only talk to one another besides the other children here at St. Luke's."
"Oh…I see well at least we'll promise him one week still to say goodbye to all of his friends I'm sure they'll keep in touch," Jack added, "I'm sure someone would want a sweet little girl like Troy's friend to adopt."
The Courtyard…
Troy spent the whole day looking for Gabriella after she ran out of the chapel hearing the news that the Boltons were going to adopt him legally by the end of the week. Apart of him was happy that he finally would have a new home and new parents. However, it came with the price of moving far away to a place called Albuquerque, away from everyone at St. Luke's including Sister Kathryn, and especially Gabriella. She was his best friend, his only true friend he ever had while being here and it met a lot to him.
Meanwhile, Gabriella was hiding by the gazebo in the courtyard so no one would find her as she just sat there with a sad look on her face. "My best friend is leaving and he promised we'd stick together…" Gabriella kept thinking that thought as she held her favorite charm bracelet in her hand. She couldn't believe Troy was leaving and she would still be stuck here by herself, but she was surprised when he found her as he had his teddy bear in hand.
"I was looking all over for you," Troy replied, "Sister Kathryn and the others were looking for you too all day. You had them worried Gabi. Why are you sad?"
"You're going to get adopted by those nice people," Gabriella sighed, "I'm…I'm happy for you Troy because you get a new mommy and daddy. You get to live in a new house all the way in Albuquerque but I don't know where that is…you should be happy and not worry about me."
"I know you're lying Gabi…why are you really sad? I know you can't lie because Sister Kathryn says it's not good to lie because that means it's a bad thing. I know you're crying."
"I'm not…I'm not crying Troy, but you should be happy that you get a new mommy and daddy and you get to go home with them like what you promised…that we get adopted, but you are and not me! You get a new family while I have to wait for one all alone…like how we used to on the playground watching the other kids get new mommies and daddies! You're leaving and I can't leave with you and you're breaking your promise that we stick together and we get a family to adopt us!"
"I'm really sorry I didn't mean it…I didn't want it to happen. I didn't know mommy had a big brother that was my uncle. I thought I didn't have any other family besides mommy and daddy but they…they really want to adopt me."
"You should be lucky Troy that you have a family," Gabriella added, "Be thankful that you get a new mommy and daddy who will love you…don't get up like me without a daddy who I don't know where he is. Sometimes I dream about him and I dream sometimes he would take me away and I get to live happily ever after…but I don't know who my daddy is and mommy never told me about him. I got no one left to talk to or a family left…except for you because you were like my big brother who protected me."
"You were like my little sister too," Troy sighed, "I want to go…but I don't want to leave you behind too. I won't get to protect you from all those mean bullies and stuff because I like protecting you and I like seeing you smile and feel better. You're my best friend in the whole world…but I promise I'll remember you and see you again…I hope so. We can runaway and hide so that they don't separate us…we could hide in the museum just you and me!"
"You don't know that do you?" Gabriella asked, "Troy…these people…they seem nice and they want you as a son…they're your family from now on. You promise me you be thankful that you still have someone who will be your new mommy and daddy…they love you because of your mommy. I know it's sad…but you taught me to be brave and have courage and not be afraid of anything, especially bullies…I promise if you go I'll…stick up for myself and I'll be just like you Troy." Gabriella just stood there trying to smile with tears in her eyes.
"I'm not brave…I just say I'm brave and strong just to look like a big boy," Troy sighed as he started to cry, "I'm…I'm really scared because I don't know what's going to happen when I leave because you might leave too if I do…but you listen to me Gabi and listen well. Don't let anyone make you cry and you can't cry anymore because it shows you're weak. If anybody tries to tease you remember what I said…you got to have courage and stand up to bullies and show them you're not weak. Don't let other kids hurt your feelings and always smile…even when something is bad, just smile a lot okay and be happy. If anyone gives you problems…you can always count one me to deal with it you got that? Don't ever be afraid."
"I'm afraid…you won't remember me and I won't remember you," Gabriella sighed as she took his hand and gave him her charm bracelet, "But I'll try to be brave and have courage and smile a lot so I can be happy…if you're afraid then I'll be afraid too….but I want you to be happy and I'll be happy for you. Remember you always be yang and I'll always be yin and I want you to have this…so it can bring you good luck wherever you are. I don't want you to go but you have to…and I won't cry when you go…I'll be happy like that big Buddha we saw at the museum. I'll remember to be brave, have courage, smile and stand up to bullies."
"And I won't cry too…I promise and you always be yin and I'll always be yang," Troy smiled as the two of them put the necklaces together as Troy gave Gabriella his teddy bear, "That's a promise…but someday we'll remember each other I hope and I promise…I'll come back for you and you just wait for me…I promise I'll come back for you. I think you should have this because you gave me something…so I have to give you something too. You can have my teddy bear I call it San Diego Bear because I was born there…so you can sleep with him from now on and tell him stories…that way you won't be alone."
"Thank you Troy," Gabriella smiled as they both hugged, "You'll always be my best friend no matter what…even I won't remember you…I'll think of you as family."
"You'll always be my best friend too," Troy replied back, "I'll…come back for you…but if I don't remember you…then just remember I'm sorry for not keeping my promise…but you'll always be family no matter what."
One week later…
It was the day for Troy to leave with his new family as some of the kids went to say goodbye to Troy as a taxi was waiting for him along with Jack and Diane Bolton. Gabriella watched from the main entrance as Sister Kathryn and some of the administrators of St. Luke's were bidding a final farewell to Troy as his new parents were packing the last of his things into the trunk.
"So Troy are you ready to go?" Jack Bolton asked.
"Well child I believe this begins your new journey with your new family and may God bless you on your new life," Sister Kathryn smiled as she gave Troy a hug, "We will miss you Troy."
"Thank you Sister Kathryn I'll miss you too," Troy replied, "Thank you for everything."
"Troy…you should say goodbye to your little friend there," Diane smiled as she pointed to Gabriella, "Go on dear she probably wants to see you." Troy walked up to Gabriella as she clutched the teddy bear he gave her.
"I'll miss you Gabi," Troy sighed, "I promise…I'll come back for you no matter what."
"You won't…because you won't remember me but it's okay," Gabriella smiled, "I'll miss you too Troy…but I got to be brave like you. I won't cry…it's okay we won't remember each other but at least you got yang and I got yin…this may help someday…I hope."
"Just…remember to smile okay?" Troy sighed trying to smile, "When you find your family I promise I'll see you too when you leave. Always be brave like me okay?"
"I promise…I will," Gabriella sighed trying to smile, "Your mommy and daddy…are waiting for you now. You should…go now."
Troy turned towards the taxi as the Boltons got into the back seat along with Troy as the taxi began to pull out from the long driveway and making it's way towards the gate. As everyone was smiling waving goodbye to the taxicab, Gabriella just stood there trying to smile as she watched Troy look at her from the backseat. Suddenly she started crying as she began to run after the taxi as it pulled out and passed the gateway entrance and onto the main street, but she got tired and couldn't run anymore as Troy watched from the backseat with tears.
"Troy! Troy! Don't go please!" Gabriella yelled out crying, "Troy please! Come back don't go please! I promise…I promise I'll wait for you!"
"Don't worry Gabi…I got to come back," Troy thought to himself in the cab as he watched her fade in the distance, "I will…come back and always be brave and smile…like I said."
Two months later…
After Troy left St. Luke's for three months, many of the other children have began to get adopted by new families each day, even Nick and his friends were adopted too. It was exciting for the kids…all but for Gabriella who spent nearly everyday for the last two months sitting in front of the entrance looking at the gate waiting…hoping that Troy would keep his promise and come back for her ever since he left. She clutched onto "San Diego Bear" still looking, even when it came for her day to finally get adopted.
She didn't care if today was her day to finally go home with a new family, although some part of her was happy to finally get a new home, but in her heart she hoped that Troy would fulfill his promise to come back and see her before she left…that was why she still stayed at St. Luke's…waiting for Troy to come back one more time, hoping that he remembered. Gabriella was arranged to leave today with a couple from New York City called the Montez as Sister Kathryn was inside tending to the final paperwork along with Paige for the adoption.
"Gabriella…hey child it's time to go," Sister Kathryn slowly replied, "Your new parents are waiting for you inside."
"He promised he'll come…I have to wait for him," Gabriella kept saying, "He'll come back and he'll see me brave and smiling…like he said."
"I know you miss Troy but…he had to move on from this place like what God intended for him to do," Sister Kathryn replied, "And God also intends the same for you too…I'm sorry to say this but he can't come back because he has a new life…you must do the same."
"But…I'll forget about him, and he'll forget about me," Gabriella sighed, "Troy promised he'll come back for me Sister Kathryn! I know he'll keep his promise and I promise I'll wait!"
"I know you miss your friend a lot dear," Sister Kathryn replied as she took Gabriella's hand and led her inside to her new parents, "But God will never let you forget about Troy because although you maybe too young to remember him, someday fate will let you guys cross paths."
"Oh here's our new little girl," Lucille Montez smiled at Gabriella, "I'm so happy that we finally get our new daughter right Miguel?"
"She is an angel," Miguel Montez replied, "She looks a bit shy…but I promise we'll take good care of you."
"Okay…I hope so," Gabriella slowly replied trying not to look up, "I hope you'll see me off Troy but…I know I gotta go my own way now…you didn't keep your promise."
"Sister Kathryn she looks sad," Lucille replied, "Why is that?"
"Gabriella just misses a friend of hers that's all," Sister Kathryn said, "Now Gabriella it's time for you to go with your new family. I hope God will bless you in your new life and always remember that you'll never forget all the memories you had here."
"Thank you…Sister Kathryn," Gabriella said as they loaded their things into the taxi and she was finally leaving, "Goodbye now and thank you…for everything. I tried at least to wait."
"Thank you so much for your appreciation Sister Kathryn," Miguel Montez replied as the cab pulled out of the driveway of St. Luke's for the last time. Unaware to them Gabriella dropped a piece of paper in front of the door as everyone bid a final farewell to Gabriella and the Montez family after the taxi cab turned past the gateway and out of sight.
"I'm sorry…I couldn't wait any long for you Troy," Gabriella sighed as she looked out her window inside the cab of a taxi passing by in the opposite direction, "I…got to move on…like it was intended to…I know you wouldn't keep your promise but it's okay…I'll always be brave and smile like you told me, even if I don't remember you anymore."
Meanwhile, another taxi cab was making it's way towards St. Luke's from the direction the taxi cab with Gabriella and her family were in left…it was actually Troy inside the cab with his dad as he had a present in his hand and a smile on his face. He was planning a surprise visit to St. Luke's to see everyone there, including his best friend. He got out of the cab with a smile on his face as he ran outside hoping to greet his friend. He ran all over St. Luke's looking for Gabriella but with no luck as he suddenly became worried.
"Gabi! Gabi it's me!" Tory smiled as he was running all over the place, "I got a surprise for you I told you I come back! Gabi! Gabi…where are you?"
"What's the matter Troy?" Jack asked, "Is everything alright?"
"I told her…I'd come back for her," Troy sighed as he held the present, "I promised her…I guess she's gone now and I'll never see her again…I didn't keep my promise dad."
"Maybe…she was adopted by a new family," Jack added, "And she's moving on with her life I'm really sorry you didn't get to see your friend again." Troy found a piece of paper on the floor next to the door and opened it up. He recognized Gabriella's handwork as he looked at the picture of her inside a car and a boy waving goodbye to her and then in the next picture of the two of them together talking and playing ball.
"I can't believe it…Gabi's really gone now," Troy sighed with tears, "Will…I ever see her again and will I ever remember how she looked like now?"
