1 1. Left Behind

Lillian, Age 8

Gloomy... that was how I would describe the orphanage. For the three years I had been here, everyone had come and go.

Ms. Margaret said that I was special, that I was still waiting for the special parents to arrived.

I was five years old, when my father left me on the porch of the orphanage. Saying that he was going to buy some bread. He told me to stay there, so that I could rest my feet. He left me, with my favourite teddy and backpack. He hugged me and told me to knock on the door, when I get tired and he had not returned.

Well, he never did return and here I was today abandon by my father, because my mother died on me. He couldn't take care of me, since I apparently could see the dead.

"Dear Lillian according to the letter, your father had left you with us. He believed that he couldn't give you, the best care without your mom that had recently passed away because of her illness."

Ms. Margaret took me in that day, she fed me and put me to sleep in a warm bed. Explaining to me that she would take care of me, like she take care of the other children there.

He left me behind. I finally cried myself to sleep that night.

"On one special day Lillian, you and other children in this orphanage, will be adopted by special family. And you will have a new mother and father, and you will live happily ever after."

That was three years ago. I guess my special day was still not here yet.

It was Sunday morning, when Ms. Margaret and her colleagues gathered us in the main hall for potential parents visit and introductory. I counted two sets of parents looking at us, I stayed in the background, to bite back my would be disappointment, for not being picked.

There were another two behind me, I could smell her perfume it smells nice. She smells like summer flowers. They were sorry for being late, she touched my shoulder and gently excuse her self to join Ms. Margaret and the rest of the group.

I was at my usual nook by the window drawing my life away, when suddenly one of the girls fall down and slipped in front of me. She was embarrassed, and accused me that I made her fall.

I knew her, she had several time had it in for me. So I just shrugged, and never minded her. But that made her upset and pulled my hair, she made me fall down from my nook. I was crying but I didn't fight back, I never fight back. Not since my father abandoned me, I had nothing to fight back for.

I was never close with the other children. Maybe because I would wake up at night, screaming with nightmares and sometimes, I would stare at a wall for the longest time.

I sleepwalk at night, I would get up and leave the room, and just stand in front of the wall for hours. I would pound my head against the cupboard while sleeping, making other kids wake up and screaming. Until later on, I was put in my own room, away from other children at night, just to keep the peace. It was situated at the end of the hall.

One of the parents came to me, and separates us

One of the parents came to me, and separates us. A woman cradled me and take me into her embrace, making me inhale her scent, the summer flowers. I took in her comfort, for however long they might be until she goes away.

Another hour passed, and Ms. Margaret approached me telling that she would like to speak to me.

"Did I do something wrong Ms. Margaret?" my hands started fiddling with my pencil.

"No honey, you're perfect as always." She sighed at me, her eyes were a bit teary making me reached out to her and hold her hand.

"I'm so sorry Ms. Margaret, please don't cry. I will not let you down again..." I started talking.

"Oh Lilian...I'm so sorry it's me, look honey, come here..." she told me to come to her.

"These nice couple here, would like to adopt you Lilian. I already told them about your condition, and they still insisted that they want you to be part of their family. This is it Lilian...this is your special day, these are your new parents." Her words hanged in the air.

Then suddenly the woman came to me, and took my hand in hers. "I've always wanted a beautiful strong little girl, we've been searching for the perfect one when we saw you..." Her husband was kneeling beside her, and took my other hand "Lilian sweety...will you let us adopt you, and be our daughter?"

I just smile and nod.

*******

In the car they told me about themselves. Her name is Janet, his name is David and they have a son name Anthony, and he's eight years older than me. David told me that he's in financial business, and Janet is a stay at home mom.

They told me that Ms. Margaret had already informed them about my ability, they said that they would try to help me, as best as they could.

Janet actually had a sister with the same ability, that was why they're confident, in taking me in. It was almost seven when we arrived, I clutched my teddy tighter.

Their house is huge, my jaw dropped and Janet just laughed at my expression. "Oh Lilian, I know it's a bit too much right? I told David that, when he showed me the house." Then she hugged me, as David open the door calling out for Anthony.

The boy came down the stairs, he was tall and lean. I never see older boys before, just from watching TV but he's more handsome than the ones there.

First impression, he was not pleased to see me. He just shook my hand and nodded, I didn't think he wanted to disrespect his parents.

We had dinner together, and then Janet showed me to my room. It was beautiful, with all the pink an eight years old need in their life.