Matt’s POV

I looked around the orphanage, nervous. My wife Val was walking around and sizing up these kids. I knew they meant a great deal to her, and at moments like these I wondered how they could mean nothing to me. She let these kids pull her hair and drool on her yet she couldn’t keep her eyes off them. I saw her glance back at me with an encouraging smile. I saw her holding the hand of a two year old and I felt absolutely horrified. See, we couldn’t have kids. We have some...problems with fertility. So I encouraged her to go to the orphanage and adopt. But she brought me along...of course. I noticed Val get up and walk over to me. “Aren’t they all amazing?” She asked.

I looked down as another kid drooled on my shoe. Yuck. “Yeah...” I replied weakly. “Just fantastic.”

“So, have you found anyone special to adopt?” Asked the lady who ran the adoption of the kids here. I believe her name was Ms. Wintergreen, which made me think of that minty gum. She told me of a Ms. Karen, but I didn’t remember what she did.

“Do you have anyone that’s older?” I asked as I discreetly wiped sweat off my palms. Val shot me a look. “What? Older ones need attention too. I feel bad for those teenagers who never get adopted and don’t get the parental guidance they need so that they can live on their own.” I hoped that it sounded genuine, because it was a total lie. The older they were the faster they got out of the house. Val would be happy for a couple years and then I would get to live in peace.

I watched as Val came over and hugged me. “I’m sorry for doubting you babe.” She gave me a kiss and Ms. Wintergreen cleared her throat.

“We do have one, she’s sixteen and he name is Nyaa. She really does need that parental guidance, for she can’t seem to remember her time in two other foster homes, it’s like she blocked it out or something. The only thing that she seems to really remember is her grandmother, who unfortunately passed away.”

“We’ll take her-I mean see her.” I quickly corrected myself. I didn’t care if the girl couldn’t remember. She was sixteen and only had two years to go. I went over to grab a quick drink from the bubblers (these things were lower than I remembered) when Val called me over. When I got there I saw the girl and I began to introduce myself. “Hi I’m-”

“M. Shadows I know.” She said, staring in aww. Wow, I didn’t know that I had fans here.