Chapter 36 Thirty-Six

Chapter 36 Thirty-Six
Sydney
I eyed the orphanage as Eric turned around the curve. If I were being honest, the place looked almost…quaint. Quaint enough that it could have easily been a bed and breakfast.
Well. Almost.
“Here we are,” Eric smiled at me as he drove into the parking lot. He looked a little too excited for comfort. “I’m sorry it’s a bit of a drive.”
He wasn’t but I nodded anyway, managing a tight smile, and climbed out of the car. The smell of bleach hit my nose again. Why did the place constantly smell of industrial cleaning products?
I wanted to point it out to him and ask if it was the place for children but he was already placing a hand on my waist and grinning.
“Shall we?”
I flashed him the same tight lipped smile and nodded. He pressed the doorbell and the door swung open. Mrs. Darlington was wearing a gray dress that was at least two times her size and looked like something women wore in 1952. She brushed her hand over her bun, her face breaking into a smile.
“Mr. and Mrs. Stanley!” She stepped aside. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
I managed another smile wondering how often I’d have to do this till we were over. We walked inside and she shut the door leading us through the foyer.
The smell of old books hit me once again. I could barely hear the sound of any children. It seemed wrong. But who was I kidding? I already knew it was a sham, didn’t I?
“We’re so pleased you’ve decided to move forward.” She smiled at us, leading us down a corridor. “Miles is a really special boy.”
Of course he was. He was my husband’s son. She led us to a living room. All the furniture was so mismatched that it looked weird. She sat on one of the green sofas, waving at the other.
“Please sit”
I wanted to ask why she hadn’t taken us to her office this time but I was too busy looking at the stack of magazines on the coffee table. They looked…new. Too shiny. Like no one had ever read them.
Eric sat down eagerly. I sat down, making sure there was space between both of us. He glanced at me for a second before looking away.
Mrs. Darlington picked up a folder from the coffee table and stretched it towards me. Not Eric. Wasn’t that interesting?
“I’ve prepared all of Miles’s documentation.” She started as I took the folder. “His medical history, educational assessments, and background information. Everything you’ll need.”
I nodded, opening the folder and my heart broke. He looked so small in the picture. His blue eyes stared straight at the camera and he looked almost scared.
Miles Doe. Age: 3 years, 4 months
I tried not to scoff. They were really trying to sell the story that he was a random child who had been abandoned. I skimmed through the background information.
He was surrendered at eighteen months, no known family, blah blah blah.
“As you can see,” her voice cut through my thoughts and I lifted my head, instinctively.
“Miles is very bright but we’ve found that’s often the case with children who have experienced early…” Her eyes darted between my face and Eric’s. “Disruption.”
Eric nodded dramatically, leaning over to look at the photo, and gasped. “He’s perfect, baby.” He murmured. “Look at him.”
Oh God, the drama. I glanced at him and he had a weird smile on his face.
“Would you like to see him once more?” She asked, edging forward in her seat.
I turned to her. There was sweat on her brow and her hands were folded a little too tightly in her lap. She wanted me to say yes. Needed me to say yes.
For a minute, a part of me wanted absolutely nothing to do with the boy even though I had loved him before.
“Yes.” I smiled at her. “Yes, I’d like to see him once more.”
She stood up and walked out leaving I and Eric. I flipped through the folder, listening to Eric pointing out random facts that I was supposed to be excited about.
“Babe. He’s got advanced motor skills.” He leaned back, grinning at me. “At three!”
He held up three fingers and I stared at him blankly.
“Eric, I get that it’s a nice trait but I don’t think that’s why we should be adopting a child.”
It took everything in me not to smile as his face slowly crumbled. “Babe, I…”
The door swung open and he trailed off staring above my head. I turned and Mrs. Darlington had stepped in, smiling at us.
“He can be quite reserved with strangers.” She smiled again. “Please don’t take it personally if he doesn’t engage immediately. Patience works best.”
Sure. Or he was warned not to say too much. She stepped inside, pulling in the boy. He looked even weaker than the last time.
His brown curls had grown wilder. He was wearing corduroy pants and a gray sweater that looked quite expensive. You had to give it to Kara. She was taking care of the kid. He didn’t look up, his hands twisting a Rubik’s cube.
“Miles,” She bent to hold his shoulders. “Say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley.”
He froze, his shoulders tensing. Eric got off the chair eagerly, a little too excited. “Hi there, buddy!” He laughed, crouching in front of the kid. “Wow. Can I see what you’ve got there?”
Miles looked up, his eyes widening slightly but he remained motionless. A smirk formed on my lips. Smart kid.
I slowly stood up, walking towards him. It would be hell crouching in my pencil skirt and heels but what choice did I have?
“Hi Miles,” I smiled at him. “I’m Sydney. Can I see your cube?”
He stared at me blankly, his blue eyes darting at Eric. I didn’t turn but from the corner of my eyes, I could see Eric give a small nod. It was so subtle I would have missed it if I wasn’t paying attention.
Miles turned to me, showing me the cube. He had gotten the red and blue boxes all lined up.
“That’s lovely,” I smiled at him. “You’re very smart. Did someone show you how?”
He stared at Eric once more and for the life of me, I felt so stupid. How the hell had I not noticed this in my first life?
How could I have been so stupid?
“Miles?” Mrs. Darlington called from behind him. “How would you feel about going to live with the Stanleys?”
The boy froze again.