Part Four: Ending

When the window is rolled down completely Clover is filled with shock. The old man from the gas station was following him. The old man smiles at Clover and rolls up his window. They both step out of their cars. Clover and the old man walk over to the entrance. The old man places his hand on his shoulder and they both stand in front of the door. Clover's eyes begin to water. Clover looks at the old man.

"Do you know who I am?" the old man asked

"Yes." Clover responded

"You grew up here, didn't you?" the old man asked

"Yes." Clover responded

"Why did you return?" the old man asked

"I-I...I don't know." Clover responded

"Do you remember what happened here all those years ago?" the old man asked

"Yes." Clover responded

"Can you tell me what happened?" the old man asked

"Yes." Clover responded as he opened the door.

They both walked around together. Clover looked at the reception desk and rang the little silver bell that sat there covered in dust and memories. Clover walked with the old man to the playroom. Clover knelt down next to the old toys. A tear ran down Clover's face when the memories came rushing back to him. The old man patted his back to comfort him. Clover stood up and wiped his face with his sleeve.

"This is where we would play after meals and before bed time." Clover says while wiping his face.

"Such sweet memories." the old man says softly

Clover and the old man walked through the hallway and Clover read the name plates on the doors that they passed out loud, "George, Jerry, Mary, Ken, Clover, Gabe, John, Lily, Dave, Alice, Brad, Wendy, … and Kat". Clover began to cry. He fell to his knees. The old man sat next to him patiently. Clover stood up and helped the old man to his feet.

"All these names belonged to my closest friends." Clover says

"They were such sweet children." the old man says softly

They continued to walk through the orphanage. They walked outside to the playground. The old man sat on one of the swings and watched Clover wander through the playground. Clover went down the old slide and climbed the monkey bars. After a while Clover came over to the old man and sat on the swing next to him. Clover let out a sigh and relaxed his body. Clover looked over at the old man.

"We used to play outside here for hours. We loved these swings. We loved the slide. We loved the entire playground." Clover said

"This place was so much fun for you kids." the old man says softly

Clover looks around. Tears rolled down his face and fell off his chin. The old man sits patiently for Clover to gather his strength. Clover looks down at his lap and closes his eyes. He whispers a prayer to himself. Clover looks up to the old man.

"Do you know why you returned now?" the old man asked

"Yes." Clover responded, "I needed to let this part of my past go and let them rest in peace."

"Do you remember my name?" the old man asked

"Yes." Clover responded, "Calvin Carson. You helped take care of all of us."

"How old are you now?" Mr. Carson asked

"28." Clover replied.

"I have never seen a grown man play on a playground before." Mr. Carson chuckled.

"Ha!" Clover laughed with him.

"Do you remember what happened?" Mr. Carson asked

"Yes," Clover replied, "A tall slender man with a fedora broke in. He raped and killed the children, my best friends. You protected me, Mr. Carson. I'm grateful for that."

"I'm sorry I couldn't do more." Mr. Carson said

"No, don't be. You saved one and that is plenty." Clover said

"I wish I could have saved them all." Mr. Carson said while breaking into tears.

Clover placed his hand on Mr. Carson's back and started to comfort him. Clover and Mr. Carson looked at each other and then watched the sun set. The sky was filled with vibrant colors as the set began to sleep. Snow fell gently on the ground. Clover and Mr. Carson both let out a sigh of relief and felt weight being lifted off of their shoulders. Tears fell from their eyes and they gently began to swing back and forth. The chains of the swings squeak and the wind whistles through the trees. "Goodbye my dear friends. Goodbye Kat." Clover whispered underneath his breath. Clover closed his eyes and continued to sway gently on the swing.