Binding Vows

“Grant an old man a dying wish.” He gently reaches out for me, taking my hands in his weak, feeble ones. “Marry my son.” --------------------------------------- Fridays were my favorite days of the week. Not just because it introduced the weekends when I get to visit the orphanage I volunteer at, but because of an old man I get to see once a week. I stood on the sidewalk five minutes away from my apartment, waiting for a cab but the roads were unusually empty, devoid of both cars and people. I start walking towards the direction of Sunrise Bistro, the restaurant I waiter at. Five minutes into the walk, I decided to order an Uber, no use being late again and having to explain to Martin that there was no cab around. He would wave it off as an excuse. It will take seven minutes for the nearest Uber to be here and I stand idly beside a tree to wait. I think about Eddy who will be at the restaurant at exactly 3:30pm for his late lunch. Eddy is an old man who came into my life when I was at my lowest. My dad had just died and as a freshly out-of-high school student with no job or relative, I was on the brink of depression, my mind already going suicidal. I was at an old park, perched on the edge of a wooden bench when I felt a warm hand tentatively resting on my shoulder. “Sloane”. I turned my head and gazed into the gentlest eyes I had ever seen. “Come child, what is wrong?” And since that day, he became my friend, confidant and father. A car horn pulls me out of my thoughts and I enter to see a middle-aged man with brown thinning hair. He looks at me from the rear-view mirror. “Where to ma'am?” -------------------------------------- I wipe the sweat on my forehead as I scan the packed restaurant. It was only lunch hour, but every table was taken with more people outside, eagerly waiting their turn. I glance at table seven, always reserved for Eddy. It was already 4pm and the old man wasn’t here. I start getting worried. My thoughts spiralling into different situations, as it always did when something wasn’t normal. One of the many flaws I had. ‘Think of the worst’ my mantra that had saved me from so many disappointments since my father died. And trust me, I had many. “Sloane” Lily calls. “Table five is asking for their check and table six needs a refill.” “On it” I yell back. The doors swing open, and a group of five guys walk in, looking around for a table and Lily quickly goes to attend to them. Lunch hour is in full swing. Today is going to be a very long day. Two hours later, when the rush hour has started winding down, and we were preparing for dinner time, a familiar old man walks in, and his eyes meet mine. I grin brightly, excited to see him. I would run and hug him if I wasn’t at work and Martin would chop off my head at how ‘unprofessional’ it is. So instead, I skip towards him like a little girl welcoming her father after a long trip. I lead him to his table and he sits slowly. Only then did I really give him a good look. Bags rested under his eyes, his kind smile looked tired and he was holding a walking stick. How hadn’t I noticed that? How long has it been since I last saw him? Last week Friday of course, but judging from how he looks, a lot had happened. “Eddy, are you alright?” He gestures for me to sit, and I do so. Reaching for his hands, I wait for an answer. “Nothing child, I’m just not getting any younger, and how do you youngsters say it…it sucks” he smiles and I offer him a gentle laugh, but my heart clenches painfully. Eddy wasn’t telling me something. I could see it in the small crease on his forehead, but his smile was bright and I decided to let it be. “I can’t bear to lose you." His face goes weary and he gently squeezes my hand. “Do you trust me child?” he asks. “With my life eddy” I reply almost too quickly. He nods “Then trust that I will be here with you, and I will take care of you to the very end." I bring him his order and he asks that I sit with him. I tell him how my week had been and he tells me how his business trip went. We laugh until tears fall from our eyes and he stays an extra hour with me. I love this man with everything I have. I’m not a believer, but I pray to whatever god that is out there listening, that he keeps him for me. I bid him goodbye and finished the rest of my shift before heading home. Thankfully, the streets are busy and I easily get a cab. --------------------------------------- I was at the orphanage before 10am, but I met Mrs Clinton already there. “Good morning Sloane, you’re early today”, she grins. “I’m excited to see the children, that’s all”. She gestures her hand towards the playing ground and I walk gleefully towards there. “Sloane!!!” The children, about twelve of them, rush up to me, almost knocking me down. “Guys!” I laugh, trying to peel them off me. I can’t, and they succeed in making me fall. The snacks I bought for them spill out of my bag and they rush it. “Don’t take more than one guys or Mrs Clinton won’t be happy” “Yes ma’am!” they say in synchrony, making me chuckle. They are the cutest. I grab my bag and stand up. Thankfully, there was one left and I make my way towards Amelia, always by the window, always alone. “Hey Amy, how are you?” I crouch low enough that we’re on the same eye level. She doesn’t answer, of course. According to Mrs Clinton, she hasn’t said a word since she was dropped off by the police three years ago, after her parents died in a car accident. For some reason, her aunt, the only relative she had, didn’t want her. So with nowhere else to go, she was brought here. I brought the snack out of my bag and gave it to her. Her little fingers wrap around it and she offers a small smile in thanks. I pat her hair and watch her take a bite out of it. She was only seven. So small and already battling demons of her own. I help clean the place, read the children's stories after stories, we played games and I made silly jokes. I managed to pull a laugh out of Amelia and it made my day. It was 7pm and I had to go if I wanted to catch the bus early. Kissing every one of them, I bid them goodbye. They made me promise I would come next week. When have I not, but I make it for their sake. Mrs Clinton wasn’t at the desk and I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye. I knocked at her office door. Her small voice answered. Mrs Clinton was the owner of the orphanage home. We met at the restaurant and she waited for me till after my shift, before she gave me a flier. Their orphanage needed volunteers. At first, I told her I wouldn’t be able to cause my week was as hectic as it was. But she told me to come around. I did and I instantly loved it. I’ve been here for two years and a few months and I don’t think I’ll leave anytime soon. “Sloane,” she stands, walking round to hug me. She’s a petite woman, worn out with age and work. My arms easily wrap around her thin frame. “Thank you, you’ve been more than helpful these days." “It’s not a problem, Mrs Clinton,” I smile. “Sit down,” she says. I do so. Her table has always been filled with paperwork but it was doubled today. “You have a lot of work, it seems,” I say “Yes, yes,” she settles down on her seat, making space on the table to rest her hands. “Lots to be done.” “Do you need help?” I offer “Ah no Sloane, you’ve done too much already." “I don’t mind doing more." She looks at me with gentle eyes, reminding me of a mother looking at her child. “You are the sweetest, my dear,” she says, reaching across to stroke my face. “I’m sorry to say this dear, but the orphanage is closing down." “What?!” I gasp “Why, what happened?” She sighs, rubbing her forehead with her thumbs and index finger. She looks older now, like within the span of five minutes, she grew older. Wrinkles appeared on her face and I can’t help but feel sorry. “The orphanage lacks funds, I’ve appealed to every organization I know and came out with nothing. If we don’t have a ‘miracle’ within two months or less, I’m afraid we have to close down”. “But the children, where…” I start to say, but she cuts me off. “I’ve thought of that already. I have a friend who’s willing to take them in indefinitely. Hopefully till I get things sorted out. “I want to help,” I say, thinking of all the children that have known only this place all their life. How would they adapt or cope with that kind of move? Little Amelia had just started adjusting to this place. What would happen if she was taken elsewhere? There had to be something I could do. “How can I help?” “Well dear, except you can find a way of raising at least three thousand dollars, there’s really not much you can do,” she chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. I don’t return it. She notices and sighs, “You could help me with the children, preparing their minds for the move.” I could only nod. I leave her office and walk back to the children. They were getting ready for bed. At the far corner of the room, little Amelia was already tucked in. I walk over to her and gently pat her hair. She turns and smiles. “Ready to sleep?” I ask softly. She nods. “Goodnight,” I say, dropping a kiss on her forehead. She relaxes under my touch and turns her back to get settled again. I stay until I hear her breathing changing before I stand up to leave.