July 28^th 1999

My best friend was adopted two hours ago. My best friend who was here with me since the beginning is now gone.  I have nobody now.  Sister Charlotte told me that I, too, will soon be adopted into a “lovely” family, but I can’t find a way to believe her.

Kids with families of their own love birthdays; I dread them.  Every time my birthday comes around I feel so empty and useless.  I know every year the possibility of me getting adopted gets smaller. Nobody wants eleven-year-old kids. They all prefer newborns or cute three-year-olds.  I want a family that will say ‘I love you’ to me any given moment, and a mom and dad who will tuck me in at night and kiss my forehead before I fall asleep.

I know I should be happy for my best friend, but at the moment I can’t. Maybe it’s jealousy.  Maybe I’m desperate for something that I just can’t get…  Maybe someday, I can be adapted to a “lovely” family too…just maybe.

______________

“Sister Charlotte, can you help me please?” Avery pleaded for the thirtieth time since that morning, hoping Sister Charlotte could give her at least a glance towards her direction.

The little girl was on the verge of giving up until finally Sister Charlotte turned her body around to the little blond girl beneath her, “Avery, can’t you see I’m busy my dear? Please give me some time to help other children who need me at the moment. I will come back to you later. Patience is a virtue.”

After that, Sister Charlotte once again turned her back against her.

Sister Charlotte truthfully wasn’t doing anything. She was just annoyed with Avery’s infamous curious questions about the world.  All the nuns (including Sister Charlotte) tried to avoid her and her questions at all costs.

Avery could see all this through her tiny and beautiful honey eyes as she stood there alone in middle of the passageway.  She once again felt abandoned.  By now it was no surprise to her; she was used to this feeling. Avery thought it was her against the world and she felt like nobody.  Frustration boiled inside the little girl as she gritted her little teeth and held her hands in tight fists. She was so fed up by the lack of interest she got from the nuns and her so called “friends” that she made the unwise decision to get away from the place right there on that spot.

Little did little Avery know that it would be that moment that would set into motion the rest of her life.