Continuing Story Thursday!

It's Thursday! So that means you get to see the next part of the story from Tuesday!

This looks like its gonna be bigger than a 2 parter, so, hopefully its as entertaining to read as it is to write!


As with every Thursday Shannon lined up with all the other orphans at the orphanage and waited for the prospective parents to show up. Today was her 10th birthday. If she wasn't adopted today, the government would force her to live in a nearby group home with other children who-like her-never found a home.

She got up extra early and brushed her teeth extra thoroughly. She wore her nicest dress and pulled her hair into two ponytails which draped down either shoulder. Being the oldest she was at the front of the line. She was so nervous. She really didn't want to live in a group home.

The prospective parents started to arrive. They all walked past Shannon. Some would stop and make quiet remarks to each other about "wanting one a bit younger." Shannon wanted to cry but she put on a brave face. Even if she wasn't adopted today, today was her birthday and she wasn't going to let some silly prospective parents ruin it for her!

She soldiered on late into the day. The prospective parents walked past, asked the younger girls and boys about their likes and dislikes, and eventually adopted from the youngest. The alloted time for adoption was almost up. Shannon still smiled despite feeling so hurt inside.

One last couple walked in; Meredith and Fredrick Baker. They were sight. Meredith was a rather round lady with a love of colourful cloths. She wore a pastel floral pattern dress and a rainbow shawl. Her flowing blonde hair fell everywhere in curls. She kept her purse close by and would dig through it routinely for small sweets to suck on.

Fredrick couldn't be any more opposite. He was a tall thin and gangly man who wore drab clothing. His white work shirt wad tucked into his dark grey pants which were held up with a pair of brown overalls. He kept his brown hair slicked tightly to his head. If Shannon didn't know any better, she'd think his hair was painted on.

Immediately when Meredith saw Shannon she oohed and awed and pointed a chubby finger.

"That one! I want that one Fredrick!"

She tugged on his shirt sleeve. Fredrick nodded slowly and put a hand up to let her know she didn't have to act too excited.

"Yes, ok, dear. Let's go talk to the girl first." Fredrick and Meredith worked their way over to Shannon slowly. She stood up straighter as if it would make her look more presentable than she already was.

"Hello! I'm Meredith and this is my husband Fredrick!"

"Hello ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you." Shannon curtsied and smiled.

"Oh! Oh look Fredrick! She curtsied! It's so adorable!"

"Yes yes." Fredrick calmed Meredith with a wave of his hand. "Tell me, dear. What's your name?"

Shoot! She had forgotten to introduce herself! First rule of making a good impression is to always tell them your name! Shannon silently scolded herself before answering. "My name is Shannon."

"How quaint." Smiled Fredrick. "Tell me, Shannon. What are some of your favorite things?"

Shannon smiled. "I love to be active and run. Big open yards are the best."

"Oh dear." Meredith looked worried. "We have such a small yard." She looked up at Fredrick with a sad look.

"But I also love art." Shannon reigned it in. "Painting and colouring. Sometimes just being happy with a small creative area."

"Oh!" the worry melted away from Meredith's face. Fredrick remained stoic.

"So what's your favorite subject in school. You do go to school here don't you?"

"Well, we're taught by the staff here but my favorite subject is reading and writing."

"Such a well rounded child." Fredrick smiled. Meredith clapped her hands barely unable to contain her joy.

"Fredrick I think she's the one! We should snatch her up quickly before someone else does!" Shannon smiled. She felt so wanted.

"I don't know. Are you sure?" Fredrick looked down the line at the younger girls and boys still waiting to be adopted. "She's a bit older. Don't you want one a bit younger?"

"No!" Cried Shannon to the shock and alarm of Fredrick and Meredith. "I just mean, that..." Shannon frantically thought of an excuse. "It's just that younger children can be very messy. I'm a bit older so I'm still fun but also less work to take care of." She smiled nervously. Fredrick smiled and Meredith clapped her hands again.

"Ok. This one." Fredrick said to Meredith. "I'll go take care of the paperwork." Fredrick walked off to the staff. Meredith, overcome with delight threw her arms around Shannon and squeezed her as tight as she could. Shannon could hardly breathe but she didn't care. It was nice to feel so wanted. Meredith finally let her breathe. She held Shannon at arms length-which wasn't very long.

"You're going to love being a Baker."

"I expect I shall." Smiled Shannon.