Nightmare

Michelle grabbed her purse, running quickly along the drive way to the car. She had been beaming all morning. We had both visited Maive the night before. Everything seemed to be working out. Michelle enjoyed being in Maive’s company, as did I. Michelle hopped into the passenger’s seat, practically bouncing up and down. “Go go go! Drive honey!”

We were about to go to the orphanage Maive was placed in before the hospital. Michelle and I wanted to find out the details of adoption. If everything went as planned, we could move this adoption right along. Only if Maive felt comfortable with it though. I felt a little bad that we have not discussed our plans with her. Though I do not want to do it at the wrong time. She seems so comfortable around us and the guys. Springing this on her may just destroy all that.

I put the car into drive. Scenery zoomed by as the car went faster down the road. Turn after turn, I felt like we were lost. I had no idea where we were right now. Though Michelle kept telling me turn every which way. Trees surrounded the long gravel drive she said was the entrance. Still had my doubts though.

Eventually a tall, bleak building came into view behind open rod iron gates. This place looked like an old, decrepit hotel. Had Maive really been stuck in here for 8 years!? I couldn’t believe it, this place looked condemned. Michelle gazed up at the rubble attempting to pass for a building. We parked the car in the front gravel drive. The both of us reluctantly got out of our car. A poor excuse for a doorbell buzzed from inside the orphanage. Voices roared before a short, overweight woman opened the ginormous door. Her smile was surprisingly genuine, “Hello, may I help you two?”

“Umm, yes… Is this the orphanage that Maive Ashland resided in for 8 years?” Her smile seemed to falter, “Oh yes, it is! Though she is no longer with us, poor thing. She was not quite… sane. So we had no choice but to place her in a mental facility.” she looked us up and down “Why do you ask?”

The woman before us obviously was surprised we were asking about Maive. It was quite easy to see that she thought Maive was a lunatic, who would never find a home. My body tensed, disliking this woman automatically. Michelle placed her hand on my arm, “We were wondering if we could discuss possibly adopting Maive?” The words just spoken took a moment for her to grasp. Once they fully registered, she looked baffled. She began to stutter, “What?! L-like I said before. Maive is in a MENTAL facility! You could not possibly-“, I cut her off, “Yes I know where Maive is. She is at Winthrow Mental Hospital for claiming to see ghosts. She has been there for quite some time now and I have been there every day with her. I volunteer there with three of my friends. We spend all of our time with Maive. She is an amazing girl who my wife and I would like to adopt. Now, if you would be so kind as to let us in and discuss this matter with you so we can do so.”

The woman gazed at me, wide eyed. She eventually led us inside, closing the door behind us. Children ran wild through the entire orphanage. Screaming, crying, hitting, and throwing things… It was an absolute mad house!!! The woman turned to us, “Please excuse them; we had no warning of visitors. My name is Mrs. Strumphner, welcome to Brinsholl Orphanage. My office is right this way so if you will please follow me.” Her office was small, but fit her personality it seemed. The walls were a light pink. Cream drapes hung from her window, matching the table cloth she had draped over her desk for some reason. Puffy, frilly pillows were strewn across the pink and cream couch. Pictures of cats scattered around. This place was ridiculous…

“You see Maive every day? So that means you are fully aware of her condition. Do you know of her past though? The reason she is in an orphanage? Well her mother kill-“
I cut her off again, “Yes I do know of her condition, as does my wife. I also know of her past. There is no reason that will interfere or sway our decision. We care about Maive and are prepared to take on this responsibility and give her a loving home.”

Mrs. Strumphner pursed her lips. I continued nonetheless, “Though adoption is a rather large step and forcing Maive into this situation is unfair. We were hoping that we could bring her home with us so she can decide if she would be comfortable with an adoption. We feel she should make this decision herself since we would love to be her adoptive parents. Spending a few weeks with the family may help her accept this more easily and hopefully even agree to it.”

She looked skeptical, “Ma’am, do you feel the same way that your husband does?” Michelle smiled, despite the woman’s behavior. ”Oh yes, I certainly do! Maive is so sweet and she would be a perfect addition to the family! Neither of us have a doubt about that. The rest of the boys adore her as well!” Mrs. Strumphner looked up, “You have children? Boys?” Michelle laughed quietly, “Oh no, they are my husband’s band mates. Each of them are like brothers to us and would be like uncles, well second fathers, to Maive if she were to join our family. They are all already quite protective of her, so are we.”

Mrs. Strumphner sighed, “Are you certain that there is no way possible for me to sway your decision? We have many lovely children here at the orphanage whom I am sure you be delighted to be the new parents of. Please, consider another child t-“ Michelle cut her off this time, “Please, we care for Maive and choose her. Now if you would be kind enough to give us the necessary paperwork. We must be on our way to visit Maive.” The woman reluctantly handed over all the paper work and the papers Maive needed to sign so she could spend a few weeks living with the family. We quickly made our way out the front door, to the car, and down the drive.

Time to get Maive out of that hell hole.

***
Riley kept saying that he had a feeling it would be a good day. His positive behavior put me in a pleasant mood. Riley held me close as we lay on my bed. Even though it was in the afternoon, we felt like lazing about. His smile grew and I moved closer into his arms. My hand lay over his chest, where his heart should rightfully beat. It destroyed me inside knowing that some monster had stolen Riley’s life. Snatched his heartbeat away with a single bullet. No pound of a heart was felt beneath my shaky hand. My mood has entirely been shot. Riley placed his hand over mine, pressing my hand harder down on his chest. He sat up, holding my hand in place. His head bowed so he could meet my eyes. He smiled, running his thumb along the corner of my mouth. A smile began to slowly form under his thumb but soon fell.

Riley’s eyebrows scrunched together, “Why the sudden change in mood?” I tapped on his chest, “No heart beat…” He smiled sadly, “You know, without that one bullet to my chest we would have never met. An afterlife with you is better than a life without you. I have found my best friend and I would not give that up for anything. Not even for a heartbeat.” A tear fell down to his thumb. He quickly wiped it away and kissed my head. Riley gently pulled me up into a sitting position. He hugged, not letting go. I smiled into his chest. I did not want to leave this position.

Though my door slamming open startled me. I fell off the bed in surprise. Zacky laughed at me before helping me up, “Sorry Maive! I was just in a hurry to get you! Follow me!” I did so but with great confusion. “Trust me kid, Michelle and Brian need to talk to you.” Riley followed beside me, “I have a great feeling about this.”

Notes