1 A hard goodbye

Earth. The year 2018

On a long sandy road with green grass and trees on the side. There is a large electric swing gate at the end of the road. By the gate, two people are engaged in a serious conversation.

One of them is a boy who looks to be about 18 years old. He is a dark-skinned black man with medium sized dreadlocks tied together in a bun. He is particularly handsome. He has a symmetrical face and an evident jawline with hazel brown eyes. The other person is a white female who appears to be in her thirties. She has dark brown hair and light brown eyes. Her smile is warm, white and beautiful.

The lady spoke and said " Lucas you are 18 years old and you have finished your school career so it is time for you to leave. You already know about our rules. When you turn 18. You are on your own so that we can take in more children of need."

Lucas looked at the lady and nodded in acknowledgement. This wasn't the first time he was hearing this. The Lady smiled at Lucas " I'm glad you quick on the uptake. It's usually, at this part, people seem to conveniently forget the rules. Anyway, you were an upstanding student at school. With an average of 95% as your year-end mark. If you continue to work hard this world is yours for the taking." She said smiling at Lucas.

Lucas returned a smile revealing his bright white teeth, " Thank you very much, Tannie Estelle(1). At first, I thought I was done for but now I have a full bursary at the University of Cape Town. So I am at ease knowing I have a path that I can take."

Lucas picked up his black bags. That had all his belongings inside. He looked at the woman in front of him while fighting to hold back his tears , " Thank you very much for all your support! I know I wasn't always the person I am today, in fact, I was the worst and yet, you believed in me! Constantly pleading on my part to keep me inside the Children's home because you saw the promise in me. It is a debt I will never forget until the day I die." Lucas looked deeply into Tannie Estelle's eyes and no matter what anyone said he knew, she is a good woman with a big heart.

At this time Lucas's fellow orphans more like "brothers" came to the gate. They stood and watched Lucas thanking Tannie Estelle. They all agreed in their hearts, that she always stood up for those who she believed in, even if others didn't.

They all remembered the one time when they were curious about what alcohol tasted like. They went to the liquor store and bought some. Of course, they were underage as well as it being their first time. They could not hold their liquor and in the end, they all returned to the Children's home drunk. This didn't sit well with the authorities in charge of the Children's home. They were angry and insisted that each and everyone involved had to be thrown out. But Tannie Estelle pleaded for them saying, "it is normal for children to be curious about certain things. It is normal for children to make mistakes. If this was your own children would you throw them out of your homes...? We opened this Children's home for a reason. We want to keep as many children as we can off the streets. Because from there crime is created. In this situation, what the children need the most is love and guidance. Naturally once all is said and done the appropriate punishment should be dealt out. Nonetheless, the aim isn't to abandon disobedient children. If so then how are we making a difference? If they feel loved they are more likely to open up their hearts. But only if you care enough... Otherwise, they will just continue and that is not okay with me! I joined this place because of its mission statement. I want to make a difference in the youth for they are the future of our country."

Lucas put down his black bags and wiped his tears. Then he picked them up again and took a step forward. He had now crossed the line that separates the territory of the Children's home and the outside world. At the same time, he crossed the border of a child to an adult. Lucas turned around facing his "brothers" and Tannie Estelle. This time he had resolve written all over his face. It said I am going to make you all proud. At first, everyone was taken aback by the sudden change in Lucas's demeanour. But soon after they all revealed a smile of support.

Just as Lucas was about to turn around. Lucas's best friend placed his hand on his temple. When the rest of the boys saw this they did the same thing.

They all stood upright saluting Lucas with tears streaming at 4K. All sorts of memories and emotions welled up inside of Lucas. He was now saying goodbye to his "brothers" he had lived with for 7 years. Lucas looked up, sucked in a large breath of air as he held back his tears. Lucas looked at each and everyone one of them for a while. He then put his bags down and returned the salute, picked his bags up, turned around and began walking on the long path.

The boys kept saluting until he was no longer in sight. Whereas Tannie Estelle left as soon as Lucas turned around. She did not want to cry in front of everyone. She had her status and position to uphold.

1-Lucas is from a part of the world where it is rude to name a person 10 years older by their name. As a sign of respect, they say Tannie "Insert surname". Tannie means Aunty. This is said by everyone and does not mean they are related or that the person being referred to as Tannie is their Aunt but rather just a sign of respect for those older than you.