I laid on my mini-sized bed, staring at the corner of my room decorated with toys, gifts, and girly children's items. I sighed turning around to the side stool at the left.
1:30 PM, the time read. The door slowly pushed open. "Lola?" My new mother, Mrs Robinson called. I dragged my stare lazily to her. "Lunch is ready sweetie". I stared at her from head to toe.
She wore light blue jeans with a blue cheque shirt with folded sleeves. Her blonde hair was tied into a ponytail and a light sheen of sweat covered her forehead.
Without a single word, I slowly turned back to my toy corner, leaving her speechless.
She opened her mouth about to speak but instantly swallowed back her words. She stepped back slowly shutting the door. I could hear her footsteps echo through the hallway. I shut my eyes.
BANG!
I jumped out of my few minutes of a nap, grabbing my shirt around my chest. I shot my eyes to the door panting.
There Mr Robinson stood with his face full of frustration and anger. He narrowed his eyes at me and then turned to the clock on my stool. I stared at it too.
"It's two o' three, time for lunch... Now!" He said in a strong tone, holding in his anger. Without another word, he turned back to the hallway and walked away, leaving the door open.
I stared at the clock once more than at the door. As much as I didn't feel like eating, I was too scared to know what Mr Robinson would have done if he came back again. I took in a deep breath, slowly moving off the bed. I walked to the door with my head hung down.
At the dining table, I kept my head fixed down with the untouched food in front of me. Excluding the fact I had no appetite, the food looks anything but edible.
It seemed like rice was boiled in radioactive acid, with the bacon mixed in engine oil and decaying dog foot.
The worst was the orange juice which looked like it was squeezed with a monster truck engine belt. It had no odour... Hell, it had no scent at all; but I wasn't ready to try out the theory, 'It tastes better than it looks'.
"Lola?", Mrs Robinson called, causing me to look up.
"Aren't you eating?" Mr Robinson asked chewing with a mouth full of his dish.
I stared at him unable to speak, wondering why he isn't yet unconscious from the first spoon of his dish. "Aren't you hungry?" Mrs Robinson asked, holding my shoulder gently.
I turned to her still not talking. She turned to her husband then at me, "Do you want something else?" She asked.
I stared at her. She sighed. "Maybe she'll prefer some custard?" Mr Robinson responded. "Custard? You'd like that?" She looked at me with hope, as I stared hopelessly into her eyes.
"Let me get you some", she smiled getting up. She walked to the kitchen, leaving her husband and me in the dining.
Almost instantly, Mr. Robinson spat his food into his palm. He scrunched his brows in disgust. There was black polythene wrapped in his palm. He got up hastily, packing his remaining food into the polythene.
Glancing at the kitchen door, he tiptoed to the window, tossing out the food. His wife walked in.
"So... Here you go dear", she smiled thrusting a bowl forward. Mr. Robinson froze by the window. "Honey?... " He looked at her confused, "How did you make the custard so fast?"
"I just poured it into some water, mixed it, and added some sugar... And then I poured it into the...", she froze and looked down at the bowl.
"Did you um... cook it?" He asked. She picked up the spoon in it, fetching a spoon and pouring it back into the bowl. It was watery and raw.
"Oh... I–", she turned to us, "–I wasn't aware I was supposed to", she looked pitiful. Mr. Robinson sighed, "Um honey it's okay... everyone makes mistakes", he smiled. "I'm sorry honey", she dropped her head moaning. He walked up to her, wrapping his arms around her, "It's okay dear".
He tightened his hug, turning her around. He gave me a sharp gaze. I knew what that meant.
...
I sat on my bed, staring at the stars and the moon through my open window. I rested my chin on my knees, hugging my legs.
"Lola?" I heard a voice behind me. I slowly turned not responding. Mrs. Robinson walked closer, straightening her nightgown.
"How are you dear?" She sat next to me putting her arms around me. I tightened my face looking down. "Oh..." She immediately noticed I was uncomfortable.
"So...", She brushed her lip nervously, "Did you enjoy your dinner?"
I reminded quietly. She turned back to the floor, "I know... Mine was horrible as well". I responded with a deep exhale. She gently held my arm, "I know it must be hard darling. Coming to a new place, with strangers like us, but you have to realize that we care about you honestly, and we're happy to have you".
I reminded quietly. She exhaled moving back. "I know you may be wondering why my husband and I who know nothing about you adopted you immediately after admitting you to the hospital... Well, that's because", she paused breathing in.
"I lost someone... My daughter when she was about your age".
I froze. Gingerly, I rose my head up and look at her with shock in my eyes. Her eyes were already wet and teary, she continued, "Her name was Adriana... This was once her room, till the car accident".
She wiped her eyes quickly, not allowing her tear to drop.
"It was a night to her birthday and we were travelling to see my parents", I looked my eyes at her as she spoke.
"I insisted we travel early in the morning to beat traffic. But, the midway through our journey, there was a truck right behind us. The driver was drunk and reckless, I guess". She sobs lightly, wiping her eyes once more. She began to play with her fingers and gown.
"And then... Unfortunately for us... We lost her, barely surviving ourselves", She coughed, trying to hold back her tears. I placed my hand on her lap. She froze looking at me. A smirk stretched on her face as she sobbed.
"When I got up, I was filled with nothing but guilt and regret, never being able to forgive myself. Till I saw you. Seeing you hurt and unconscious just reminded me of my late daughter, and I felt... I felt maybe this was another chance life was giving me, to right my wrongs", she turned to me. "And I didn't want to miss it".
I looked down at her arms around my shoulders with tears in her eyes. I got up on my knees, placing my palms below her eyes, slowly wiping away her tears quietly.
She smiled, making more tears fall out. I continued to wipe each drop, looking straight into her eyes.
"Lola..." She pulled me into a hug, crying softly over my shoulder. I stood there stiff staring down. She pulled away.
"Um–" She cleared her throat, "–Um... Anyways, why am I telling you all of this... You should be sleeping, it's past your bedtime, besides, we have a big day tomorrow", she smiled nervously.
I narrowed my gaze seeming confused.
"Oh... Well, your dad and I have a surprise for you tomorrow, and I think you're going to love it". She pinched my cheeks softly, standing up. I stared at her calmly as she laid me down and tucked me in.
"Goodnight, Lola", she kissed my forehead. A flash of gratitude grew over my face as she moved up.
"Sleep tight, honey", she patted my head slowly walking to the door. I watched as the light from the hallway slowly faded as she shut the door.