A knock sounded at the door. As the children nervously looked at each other, they could hear Mrs Bittle walking toward the front door. Her footsteps paused for an instant when she reached the door, and Miri could imagine her pasting on her biggest fake smile. After a beat, the front door opened.
"Welcome all!" Mrs Bittle trilled"Is this everyone?" She did a quick head count, making sure that everyone was present, and then with a "Right this way" led them into the room where the children were awaiting their arrival.
Miri snuck a glance at the newcomers, taking in everything she saw. there were 5 people in the room, two couples and a man standing by himself. Looking at the first couple, she saw a woman with straight blonde hair, and pretty blue eyes. The woman was a bit plump, but not fat and had a good natured look about her. Her husband was taller, with brown hair and eyes. he was clean shaven and looked kind. As Miri watched he looked down at his wife with a loving smile and gestured toward the children as if to say "There now, is this what you wanted?"
The second couple were short and skinny, and they too looked not unkind. The woman had brown hair and blue eyes, and her husband had black hair and brown eyes. They looked at the children with something approaching pity in their eyes.
Finally, her gaze rested on the man. He had grey hair and a distinguished looking grey moustache. he was carrying a cane and was wearing a black suit. His piercing blue eyes swept the room, meeting Miri's eyes. He turned to Mrs Bittle. "I apologize for my wife", he said, "She was feeling unwell today and was unable to come." Mrs Bittle nodded, she did not much care where his wife was, unless it kept them from adopting.
Miri quickly looked down at her shoes. They were a bit scuffed, and they pinched. Though her feet were small, these shoes were meant for someone much younger than herself.
The first couple looked at each of the children, finally walking over to where Amy stood beside Miri. The woman knelt down and gently asked what the little girls name was. Amy looked directly at her, and with a little bounce she shouted"MY NAME IS AMY AND I AM SIX YEARS OLD!" the woman laughed and gave the girl a hug, then went to speak with Mrs Bittle. The second couple took their time, speakingbto several of the children, seeming to favor a ten year old girl named Stevia, who was shy, but very smart.
Mrs Bittle was smiling and nodding at the first couple. The husband shook her hand, and they came back and knelt in front of Amy again, while the second couple spoke to Mrs Bittle. Miri's heart felt squeezed as they explained to Amy that they were her new parents. Amy seemed to like them and happily went with them. The second couple soon left with Stevia and soon the old man was the only one left. He was talking to Mrs Bittle. "My wife and I want an older girl, we know they don't get adopted as often, and would like to make a difference" He walked toward Miri, and asked her for her name. "Miri, sir," She said, not looking him in the eye. He gently lifted her chin so he could see her face. as soon as he saw her eyes, he abruptly let go and walked to another girl, looking as if he had just seen something hideous.
Miri felt tears sting the back of her eyes, and desperately tried to keep them back. She didn't even notice when the man took another girl with two matching eyes.
Once the children were released she ran out back. soon she came to a stone wall, on the other side of which was a forest. Miri tried to climb the wall, but her shoe slipped and deposited her back on the ground. Standing up, she angrily stripped off her shoes and socks and climbed the wall easily in bare feet. At the top she balanced for a few seconds, staring into the dark forest. Uncertain of whether to continue, she looked back at the barn. Amy was no longer there, so what was the point? Miri turned forward and climbed over the wall into the forest beyond.
Agnes Bittle glanced out the window and saw her leave. She had never much cared for the odd girl, too old to be adopted, and not easily broken. She wished her good riddance. Scowling, she turned back to the television program she had been watching, and forgot all about the girl.