Santuary of love

(B1: Cristopher) Chapter 5

March 14, 2012

I don't know why they gave us these notebooks. Log for boys and diaries for girls, I really do not expect to write anything. I like to draw more, so I'll see what I can think of.

After that first page all there were drawings and cartoons. Some could be identified by their relationship with activities carried out for the children of the Sanctuary. Karla's adoption, Luis's return from university. And the annual dinner for all the members of the Sanctuary, both those who had been adopted, the community that provided shelter and even more so for the parents, both past and future who would be in the adoption process. For that activity it was the entrance of Laura and Paul Frank's, Cristopher had drawn the couple next to him and everyone else around them. He had always been sensitive and had a soft spot for those parents fearful of being rejected. A brave boy who never ceased to shine and take care of everyone around him.

Veronica closed her eyes once more, trying to resist the urge to cry, remembering all the beautiful things she had forgotten after the loss. Wondering once again how it was possible they had lost that child. With trembling hands, she took a drink from the wine glass next to her, just as she returned to serve a little more from the bottle. Wishing he didn't have to need it, but trusting Armatos word, it was not going to be pretty. Veronica had no doubt that she was going to wish she were taking something stronger.

November 3, 2013

Mrs. Laura was playing with all of us today. She taught us to work animal figures with clay. I made a bear, she a rabbit. The truth, she was very nice to him. Best of all, when she finished she gave it to Tamy and promised to make a clay rabbit for all the girls in the home. I prefer bears.

Cristopher's drawing of the bear was next to a small rabbit that was seen between the bear's front legs, waving with confidence.

November 9, 2013

Tamy went to stay this weekend with Laura, both are going to have what is known as a weekend for girls. What do girls do when they are alone? They are so strange, but I think Paul is super cool ... I never thought that an adult could jump and do tricks on a skateboard.

After several more drawings that referred to Christmas, farewell to the year, and even more so to the day of friendship, Cristopher had not written anything else until reaching the decision that changed everyone's life.

March 5, 2013

Tamy chose her parents and it was not Mrs. Laura, I know that she did not cry when she found out, but she was sad. Tomorrow I will go to ask Veronica if some of the boys have already asked Laura and Paul as parents. I hope Laura doesn't mind having a boy instead of a girl. But I think they really want to have someone to love, I would like to take care of them too.

March 8, 2013

They say that, speaking people understand each other, I don't understand. Laura could not believe that I loved them as parents. She seemed happy and Paul was smiling from ear to ear. This week I will visit them and they will go with me to buy materials for one of Mrs. Katty's drawing workshops. I hope everything comes out fine, I think, well... that.

March 11, 2013

Today we were shopping, we were not alone, but Mrs. Laura did not leave me alone all day. Several times she was looking at me in silence, when I asked her if something happened, she smiled and stroked my head. Veronica explained to me that Laura had originally asked about me, but since I had never shown an interest in any parents. Laura had prepared herself not to be chosen by me.

Beneath the comment was a question mark with a confused face. Which made Veronica smile, even as her mind filled with doubts as she continued reading.

March 30, 2013

Paul was talking to me after a day of group fishing. He invited me to ice cream, I ordered pistachio. Paul asked me the reason why I had never chosen someone before. I explained to him that I had never found someone that other children did not want as parents. He was silent for a long time, but when he did, he nodded as if he understood something. He didn't say what, but I didn't ask either. I wish to have better words to explain myself.

April 2, 2013

Laura was helping out at Katty Sun's house, they made changes to the nest. The baby's room now features a beautiful forest, with bears, wildcats, wolves, birds, and some dreams. Laura was painting a long time, between Paul and I brought her food. But if we didn't stay with her, she forgot to eat. I learned a lot and best of all she likes to paint as much as I do.

April 7, 2013

Writing in this notebook is becoming a habit, today I was helping Paul while fixing a swing. I think Veronica is looking for us to spend time together, the problem was that neither Paul nor I knew how to fix a swing. Armatos had to arrive to help. But in the end the swing was fixed, I tried it and I gave a jump that neither Paul nor Armatos could win over. I’m the champion…

The drawing of the swing next to three figures made Veronica smile, but not without tears. The pain from the loss was an open wound. She closed the notebook and left the small cabin, her watery eyes moving a little towards the forest that surrounded her.

She did not get very far, between tears and a growl that came from the shadows, she decided that she was safer in the clearing that surrounds her home. She sat on a fallen tree and let the sobs escape from her chest. In the end, there was no one to listen to her. She still did not understand what had happened to Paul and Laura but reading what Cristopher had written made it clear to her that something had happened after moving. The image of a couple who loved each other and with the capacity to love a boy as special as Cristopher had not stopped haunting her since his death. In what way she was wrong? How could they fool everyone in the home? If it had only been her, it could have been justified as an error of judgment. But it was not only she who had agreed to the adoption. The five attorneys always discussed the possibilities with the caregivers. Children for the most part were good at judging people. Laura and Paul had never been rejected; they had even become an essential part of the community. No other boy had asked for them as parents, not because they dislike them. The big kids had notice how Cristopher look at them. Many had seen Cristopher's face when he learned that Laura was a plastic artist. Recognized for her works nationwide. No one had said anything but notice how Laura was always on the lookout for what the preteen created in her art classes.

She had to admit, as she tried to wipe away her tears, that she feared what the journal would reveal. The idea of the diary had always seemed good to her. It had often been the only way her grandmother had been able to communicate with the newcomers to the home. She even remembered that one refused to speak for a year and a half, asking for a soda, water or food was a list of notes and written conversations between himself and his grandmother. Who would say that this boy would end up becoming a lawyer, the memory of Rey's suspicious gaze, made her smile at today's comparison? 

While enjoying the memory, she heard the bush move behind her, natural sounds when she was surrounded by animals, but still, she jumped up expecting to see some wild animal about to take a good piece of the silly human that had invaded his home. She sighed with relief that there was nothing to make her run, but she knew they were watching.

She took a deep breath, trying to convince herself out loud, that she wasn't crazy. However, speaking alone was a bad sign to confirm sanity. An unnatural vibration and sound made her jump. Her phone warned of an incoming call, the real world had arrived in less than forty hours, on the other hand, she wanted to hide deep in the forest, where no one would find her. While she had an excuse to run away without seeming to be afraid of the eyes that looked at her from the shadows. She decided to be cautious and walk slowly to the cabin. Then she would talk to the boys to see if they had noticed anything unusual in the place.

“Tell me Luz, what is going on.” As she spoke her gaze did not move away from the shadows, but her steps were slow and safe towards the protection of the cabin.

“Sorry to bother you, there was an ugly case. Adriana called us from the hospital.” Veronica did not know what to think. Luz was the only one who had never reacted quickly. She could feel in her voice that she wanted to run to that hospital.

“What happened Luz?”

“The case looks like... well it looks like mine.”

“s**t! Okay. Call the boys, tell them to start investigating the case. Derek must confirm the girl's electronic trace. I return tomorrow morning and we leave with everything ready to see how we can help. If Adriana has a chance to talk to the girl, just tell her that she is not alone. Tell the boys who do not approach her. While this happens, you leave everything ready.  As soon as you can go, move ahead.” She heard her write down and repeat some things, she hoped that nothing had been forgotten.  But really, everything was part of the procedure to follow in these cases. The only new thing is that they could see much further, thanks to Derek. 

“Thanks, Veronica.” Veronica cut the call, she knew that everything she had ordered she could do. Luz would soon realize it was so, but she had needed that time and orders, so as not to feel useless.

“Cristopher, I'm sorry, I can't spend all the time your words deserve. The world has claimed another girl, and she would need us.” Veronica said to the wind, her life always was putting one fire off, after another. She entered the cabin, sat in the old chair, and took the boy's journal to continue reading after taking a deep breath.