| Observations Only: Little Girl Lost: Adopted |
 May 04, 2012 By Nina Betz nina@geringcitizen.com |
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 That night I dream that I’m walking in a forest when a white butterfly perches on my shoulder. It flutters away to alight in a tree, beckoning me to follow. Under the tree is a white box. I kneel down and raise the lid, and look down at myself lying in the box, wearing a white dress with purple flowers in my hands; then I close the box and begin walking back the way I had come. The next morning I have a bath and Mrs. Green pulls a yellow dress over my head and buttons the back. “Your shoes and socks will just have to do,” she says, tying the laces. “Listen to me Nina, this is very important,” she says, taking my chin in her hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Gering will be coming this morning to take you home with them. You must mind them and do what they tell you to do, because if they don’t like you they can bring you back. It has happened to other children and I don’t want you to have to come back here, Nina,” she explains. Mrs. Green waits with me in the room with the windows and sparkly things hanging from the ceiling. Soon a shiny gray car pulls up in front and stops. A man and lady who don’t look anything like the fat people at the churches, get out of the car. Mrs. Green takes my hand and we walk down the steps to meet them. “Mr. and Mrs. Gering, this is your new daughter, Nina,” Mrs. Green says. The man and lady look at me and smile. “I’m so happy to have you for my very own little girl,” she says, looking like she wanted to hug me. “Here are her things,” Mrs. Green says, handing her the sack. “But, there is only a little blue apron in here and a pair of socks,” she says, looking into the bag. “I thought she would have clothes. We didn’t expect to have to buy her clothes right away and didn’t plan on the extra expense this soon,” she says, looking upset. They’re not going to ‘dopt me and the other kids are going to laugh at me, I think, not sure how to feel about it. “We will buy her some clothes when we get home, the man says. “We have come all this way to get her and we’re not changing our minds over some clothes; it will be alright,” he says. “I hope so,” she says, doubtfully. “I am so sorry Mrs. Gering, but all of the children are impoverished and bring nothing with them when they come to us. That’s why they’re available for adoption,” she explains. “I guess I didn’t think about it in that way,” she says. “Well, we best be on our way to your new home, Nina,” my new father says to me. I peek at Mrs. Green and she is smiling back at me and nodding. “Goodbye honey; remember to be a good girl and do what is asked of you,” she says, hugging me. “I’ll remember,” I whisper, hugging her hard. My new father takes my hand and helps me to climb into the back seat. I will be a good girl so they won’t want to bring me back, I promise myself. I look back as the car pulls away. Mindy is waving from an upstairs window. Words sort of stick in my throat. Daddy always wanted Foy to do the talking for me and Corie, but I can’t think about what daddy wants anymore; Foy isn’t here and I hafta take care of myself. |
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