Page 61 of With Love

Adrienne

“So, there’s an entire center for orphaned children named after me?” I ask as we head down the road to our next destination.

“Yes, but it’s not just that it’s named after you. It’s your foundation. See, after your parents died and you were on your own, you realized that you wanted to help other children who were in the same situation as you. When you started college, you decided to major in Social Work. Your advisor put you in contact with a lady named Courtney Frederick, who hired you to work at Youth Horizons. It used to belong to her, but she retired and handed her company over to you. You renamed it the Hamilton Foundation.

“When you were taken, she stepped back in to run the facility. I’ve been in to visit many times since then. I used to stop in to visit both you and the kids all the time, so it was important to me to keep doing so. Some of the same kids are there, but most have been placed. Courtney is going to be there when we get there. Just so you’re aware and not taken by surprise.”

“And I can trust this Courtney woman?” I ask.

“Absolutely. The two of you were close, like mother and daughter. When I called her yesterday and told her about the plan for today she could barely keep it together. She’s been hoping and praying for this day for a very long time.”

“Marshall, can I ask you something?” I am reminded of earlier when Chef Emiliano hugged me. “I don’t mean to sound rude or anything like that, but can you make sure that no one else touches me? When Chef hugged me earlier I nearly passed out because it was unexpected and it made me feel like I was suffocating. I don’t want this Courtney lady to do the same thing. I feel terrible for being like this, I do understand that these people were a part of my previous life and they probably don’t want to hurt me, but I’m just not ready for that.”

“Oh my God, that thought never even crossed my mind. I am so sorry,” he reaches over and places his hand on mine. “I promise that it won’t happen again.”

I smile at him. I feel like a brat, like I’m overreacting. As much as I want to believe that a simple hug won’t hurt me, my mind can’t wrap itself around that idea.

“What about the kids? Are they going to be around?”

“Most of them are in school, but there will be a few younger kids there.”

“Okay,” I nod my head. I’ve only been around Marshall, Lucy, Owen, and Travis for the past several months. Adding a few new people and a bunch of kids may push me over the edge.

* * *

Pulling into the parking lot of the Hamilton Foundation has my insides tied up in knots. To the point where I am this close to telling Marshall that I can’t do it. When suddenly, I see an older woman standing next to the building. She is talking to another woman, who is inside of a fenced-in playground area. There are several young children running around outside, so full of excitement and glee that I can actually hear their laughter in the air through my closed window.

Courtney.

I know it. I know that’s her.

I open my door before Marshall finishes pulling into the parking space.

“Adrienne?” I hear him ask, but I am already out the door and halfway to the sidewalk at that point.

The other woman points in my direction and Courtney turns toward me.

She notices me just as I’m taking my first step up onto the sidewalk. Tears fill my eyes so full I can barely see her figure anymore before I crash into her and hold onto her as though I will die if I let go.

“I know you!” I shout. I probably sound like an idiot but I don’t care. I knew who she was the moment I saw her. Once I did, my emotions exploded again, but not just feelings this time. This time I saw memories just like I did earlier in my old apartment.

We’re sitting across from one another in an office, each of us behind a desk. I have my feet up on mine with my legs crossed at the ankles. She has her legs propped on the chair next to her desk. There are balloons and streamers everywhere and we are eating cake. There is a sign hanging from the front of her desk that says, “Happy 60th Birthday!” and there are a ton of handmade cards all over the shelves behind her and on the tall bookshelf up against the wall.

We’re crowded around a table in the cafeteria planning out a schedule of events for the upcoming summer. We were short staffed due to the flu and kids were running around us like crazy. You could tell we were stressed out, but you could also see the love and adoration that we had for these kids written all over our faces.

We’re outside playing in the snow. Taking turns helping the kids make snow angels. Scooping snow into paper cups and mixing it with juice and lemonade mix, trying our best to make them look like a real snowball.

“I know you, too!” She cries back. “I didn’t ever think this day would come.”

I step back from her a little so I can see her face again. Just then, I hear Marshall walk up behind me.

“Marshall, it’s so wonderful to see you! And to see you here with Adrienne again…” her voice fades as her eyes well up with tears once again. She holds her arms out and pulls both Marshall and I in for a hug this time.

Wonderful doesn’t even begin to describe it.

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