Ortiz' Golden Orphanage (OGG, for short) has been my home since I was a wee lad. Lived here since I was five years old. Other orphanages exist, sure. But, OGG Is where my heart belongs.
"Look who's late to the show!" The cafeteria staff chortled as I arrived to retrieve my breakfast. " I hope that don't mean there's no flap jacks left!" I cleverly respond while glancing at the service line. "Now, now Thomas, why would we allow the honor student to miss out on Friday Flapjacks?"
"You heard her boy. Did you forget our motto?"
"No stomach left unfed!" Clearly satisfied with my answer, the cafeteria personnel handed me my flapjack breakfast. Now I can consume my grub with my mates, in peace.
"Hah! You two never cease to amaze me… The food's still toasty too!"
Later that day…
"OW-WEEEEEEEEE!!"
"Clarence, Mate, you alright?!" I rush to my friend who had recently fallen off the jungle gym. Only to discover.. "Heavens, his elbow is bleeding! I'll go get the nurse!" She means well, but Sachiko just needs an excuse to run away from the sight of blood. But, before she makes it a foot away from us, though, the playground supervisor heroically enters the scene.
"Lookin like you went cruisin for another bruisin, eh Clarence?"
"Y-yessirrrr." The normally spirited seven year old was barely audible, as he looked up at the sheer mountain of a man. Yet, the playground supervisor is another reason why I love the crew at OGG so much. Their unyielding kindness.
"No needs to worry your little bones bucko. I'll take ya to the nurse."
"Th-thanks Un-uncle Soup."
"And," as he lifts Clarence onto his shoulders, the supervisor whispers. "I promise I won't tell Lady Ortiz that your fall was cause you cut ahead in line." With a silent chuckle Clarence, although bruised, had a renewed calm. Assured that news of his dangerous attempt to beat the other kids to the jungle gym wouldn't make its way to our dear Lady Mother's ears. The last thing anybody would want, let alone, us children; would be to upset the heart of the already loving atmosphere of caring individuals at OGG.
My orphanage is the soul of the borough of Grinow. A real enormous place! The biggest in the area. Or so, I've heard. Three stories, full of everything you could ask for. A playground that mimics a mini amusement park. Just look at what happened to Clarence. Lad frequently amuses himself into injury out there! A cafeteria with banging food. Even the movie room that we get access to on the weekends. The list goes on. But, trapped in a world now, without parents; orphans should be treated like they belong. And OGG does just that! For me, it's equivalent to another home, where everyone who works here isn't separate, but rather, equal. Just like the family that each of us needs. With benefits as great as these, time almost doesn't matter here. And, it can be easy to see weeks flash by, before your very eyes..
"Darlings! Adoption day has arrived yet again." Lady Ortiz' proclamation amassed much anticipation. "I've got plenty of golden stars, so that means good news for me." Sachiko triumphantly boasted to herself. "Hmm? Someone's missing." Lady Ortiz instinctively presumed; while scanning the room. Almost as if she had just lost a piece of herself. "Where's Thomas?"
No response. Similar to a letter enfolded in an envelope and placed within a dark mailbox. The silence would start to close in on the normally composed middle aged woman. Suddenly Clarence interjects.
"Miss O-ooorteeez. I'll g-g-go f-f-find him."
"What a relief. Th-thank you…my dear—"
Scurrying across the orphanage, Clarence's search is not a blind one. The young blonde's ears are in pursuit of an unusual grinding sound. Fifteen minutes later.
Vvvvvv. Veeeeevvvv. Tink. Tink.
"Th-there it is! H-h-h-hey Th-th-…Dude, you i-i-in here?" Clarence asks as he approaches the entrance to the orphanage's library.
Tink. Tink. "Password in need to proceed." A sullen, yet focused voice calls out from the unlit room. "Hah! B-bee, J-j-jayy, Ayyy." Clarence confidently replies.
"That's correct, mate. You may enter."
"Alright! I kn-knew y-you'd be somewh-wh-where grinding."
"It's Wednesday, innit? I've got to shine things up! But, anywho, you're here earlier than usual. You know the routine."
"Ye-yeah. But our la-la-ladyyy's noticed y-y-you m-missing. Seeeems like sh-sh-she was bout to cr-cry." My eyes quickly widened. I don't remember if my friend had said anything after that. But, like a horse stampeding down a race track; my body suddenly lept from it's position, and instinctively darted to Lady Ortiz' location.
"You for-forgot your…Ah, well. I'll give it to ya la-laterr." Clarence picks up the source of Thomas' scraping sounds before catching up with his friend.
And, in a short matter of time, the two boys reconvened with Lady Ortiz and the other orphans. The gymnasium where the adoption day observance was taking place was as lively as usual. Adults conversing with staff and children, alike. Orphans eagerly seeking the opportunity to be granted the privilege to gain new parents. While, food and drink were served to help ease any possible tension. Yet, in one moment, the room suddenly vibrated from the echoes of one woman's outburst.
"There you are!" As if her feet were wheels; Lady Ortiz practically drove herself across the gymnasium into Clarence and I. And like being wrapped up in a blanket, on the coldest night of the year; our dear Lady's warm embrace was like that of a loving mother.
"Where were you, Thomas? You're supposed to be here; like everyone else."
I wanted to be annoyed. Her and Clarence interfered with my routine filing session. But, Lady Ortiz's well being was of higher concern.
"…." Still, I couldn't look her in the eye. Thankfully, in a manner almost as heroic as Uncle Soup's; Clarence, as if he read my mind; immediately defended me. "D-d-dude had a-a-a-A lot of throw up t-t-to release."
Following his lead, I quickly force as much air up my throat as possible.
"Blehhhhppp!" My body froze. And, my heart skipped a few beats. The nerve to respond to this woman's extraordinary concern for a child, like myself; with a burp as nasty as a wet pair of dirty socks. Was this it? Would I be the one to turn Lady Ortiz sour??
After examining Clarence, herself, and her surroundings; Lady Ortiz broke the silence. "Hah! I almost thought we'd all be drenched with your leftovers. Well, Thomas, dear, now that you're back; I need you to participate in the observance." Oh great! I managed to slide my way out of telling Lady Ortiz where I really was. Only for her to reply with making me participate in the very thing I was trying to avoid. Snails on their worst day could still move faster than me, in this moment! With much hesitation, I start to move away from my companions, and into the large, empty gymnasium around me.