Once, there was a rural community nestled in the depths of the country.
It was a peaceful place with few noisy cars or busy roads. In fact, the quiet sounds of this serene village could lull just about anyone to sleep. Near the school lay a house for little boys and girls with no place to go, a place that some called home and cherished and others couldn't wait to escape. The truth is, there was no color, it was always so gray everyday and everywhere, no matter where one came from.
One fateful night, heavy rain pounded on the windows and the wind crashed in its mighty storm. However, all were fast asleep in their rooms, all except for Mrs. Starling. Unbothered by the violent thunderstorm, she sat, comforted by the warmth from the fireplace reading "The Wizard of Oz", a brilliant book that remained in the hearts of many.
"Hmm..." she hummed near silently.
"If only life were truly this magical, if only one child were like this Dorothy…" Her voice trailed off, fading into the familiar silence of forgotten dreams. She knew she shouldn't hope. She knew life was never quite as fantastical, no matter what she wished for.
BANG!
Mrs Starling shrieked, her hand instantly flying to her heart. silently cursed her fragility and age as she fumbled to get out of her seat. Usually, visitors wouldn't dare bother at this late hour, but here they were, anyway, since apparently being polite had fallen out of fashion. Huffing with annoyance, the woman walked over, opening the door with a stern look on her face as she prepared to scold the person responsible for such an untimely disturbance. Kids these days!
"How can I help you?" She quipped, though she wanted to shout. ""
"Can't you see that this is an orphanage?he children are sleeping!" She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at the unknown person. She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing at the unknown person.
"Pardon me, ma'am." The slight quiver of a man's voice sounded. His soaked clothing clung to his body and his flimsy umbrella shook in his quaking hand. A bundle of something fidgeted on his front and the elderly woman's eyebrows rose. Despite her anger, Mrs. Starling couldn't help the pang of sympathy she felt at the sight of the poorly man.
"May I come in? I need your help. Urgently. There are some things… some things that we need to talk about." He said, his eyes falling to the sleeping child on his front. "
At the sight of the little girl, who was untouched by the rain, Mrs. Starling's anger dissolved and she immediately ushered them inside. When the warmth of fire touched the man, he groaned in delight and his two suitcases fell to the ground, his grip on his flimsy umbrella finally softening. A yawn fell from his lips.
"Who might you be, young lad? Mrs. Starling asked as she picked up his daughter, placing her on her hip. Her eyes roved over the sad appearance of the man once more, her frown deepening.
"Call me Deus. I'm just a businessman who has….urgent matters to tend to." He paused, gulping.
"Listen, do you look after children while their parents are away? Like foster care?"
"Sometimes." Mrs Starling replied, guiding him to a worn rocking chair with a blanket. doration shone in her eyes as she listened to the soft snores of the little girl, longing for a child like her. Despite her joy, she didn't miss the man's lack of a proper name.
"Agatha Starling, and who might this be? Is she your daughter?"
"Yes, she's my little sunshine, Sunilda. But she won't respond to anything but Sunny." He replied, gazing at the girl.
"A right star she is but she can be a bit of a wallflower when she's anxious/ only responds to the name 'Sunny'."
"I see.Where are you from?" Mrs. Starling asked skeptically.
"Oh, we're from the country." His eyes darted away from the woman. Her eyes narrowed.
"Well then, what business have you here?"
"Things with the business aren't going well. We're losing everything, and things… things fetch a high price where we're from. I can't let them get her too." His voice broke and he quickly looked away.
"What's the longest you've kept a child?" His voice was nearly a whisper. Mrs. Starling paused, clutching the little girl slightly. A heartbeat passed.
"Perhaps six years. How old is she right now?" Her voice was hesitant as she gazed into the man's eyes, trying to get a flicker of the truth, the unspoken realization causing her eyes to widen.
"Five years."
"But that's so young, she's just a baby!" Mrs. Starling protested, standing up from her seat, glaring at the man with a look of injustice and disbelief.
"Who will look after her? Who will feed and clothe her? Who will afford her?"
"That's why I came to you, ma'am." exclaimed the esperate, pitiful man.
"I can't take care of her. I can't keep her safe. You're the only one in this country who could help me, who could help me. Please, please give me a chance. Take her under your wing."
He fell to his knees and for a moment, Mrs. Starling could only stare. Questions, so many questions flitted in and out of her mind and she clutched the little girl more than ever before. She knew what he was asking, what many hopeless parents had asked before. But an inkling of a feeling knew that there was something else going on. Something darker.
"I… I don't know what to say." She thought of the other struggling children. With so many, could she afford another? For six years, if not more?
"Yes. Please, say yes."
Mr. Beecarried out a light pink backpack and set it on the ground in front of her, almost like a peace offering.
"This is all her stuff. Her clothes, books, and whatever she needs to be here." he said in an aching voice.
Mrs. Starling hesitantly took the backpack, and looking at the girl one last time, she nodded her head. The man got up glancing at his little sunshine for the last time. He walked over to the woman, lightly taking the girl in his arms. He placed his forehead on the little girl's own, his eyes glistening with tears of sadness, longing, but a whisper of hope.
"Take care, sunshine." he said, his voice quivering. A single tear fell from his eyes onto Sunny's face and he placed a kiss on her forehead. After a long moment ruefully gave her back to Mrs. Starling, a slew of silent tears dripped down his face..
"I'm counting on you." For the first time, he brought his eyes to meet the woman's in a firm gaze. His face twisted in agony from the thought of leaving his little girl, but Mrs. Starling watched as resolve dominated his despair. Finally, she understood.
This was something greater than the both of them, and she knew that she must care for this little girl. No matter what.
"Yes, sir." she nodded once more, his gaze falling. In a second, Mr. Bee and his suitcases out the door, back into the thunderstorm. It was as if he had never existed, his only imprint on the world the sleeping child left in her arms.
Mrs. Starling rubbed Sunny's head gently, praying that she had a sweet dream. She looked out the window at the bitter thunderstorm and she wondered what this little girl would bring to the world.
"Poor girl.." Mrs Starling shook her head, her eyes glued to the window as she wondered about the illusive man. Lightly, she placed the little girl on the rocking chair and wrapped her in a blanket.
"What will she think when she realizes her father is gone?"
Immediately, a little moan rose from the girl, and she saw that Sunny had awakened. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up from her resting position, and she looked around, dazed from her slumber.
"Hello, dear." Mrs. Starling sat next to her, trying not to startle her. A soft smile lay on her face as she lit up at the sight of the little girl.
Sunny glanced at her, and she just froze, her face turning pink and her breath stopping
"Hey, there's no need to be shy, darling." Mrs Starling reassured, petting her head.
"My name is Mrs. Starling. I'm going to be looking after you."
"Where's Daddy?" Sunny asked, confusion and nervousness overwhelming her. It made the old caretaker's heart break.
"Oh, he's somewhere else. But don't worry, he'll come back soon!" she reassured, her voice cracking as she tried her best not to tear up.
"I just want you to know that I'll be there for you no matter what, I promise."
"But what about Daddy? Where did he go? Why did he leave me?"
Mrs. Starling couldn't take it anymore, a few tears fell from her eyes, and she spoke in a restrained voice.
"Your father can't be here for a while, so he's asking me to look after you until he comes back. Now remember, he did not abandon you, and I want you to know that he loves you very much, so please don't be sad that he had to go., Alright?"
"Alright, mommy."
Mrs. Starling flushed bright red, but she shook her head and giggled,
"No, Sunny, I am not your mommy. Call me Mrs Starling, alright, darling?"
"Alright, Mrs. Starling."
"Good girl. Now, are you hungry? You looked like you haven't eaten in a day! How would you like some cream crew?"
"Yes!" Sunny exclaimed, quickly warming up to the woman she had just met. Change was coming and the little girl decided to embrace it. If her daddy left her with Mrs. Starling, she figured that life could only get better. Especially if she got some cream crew every day!